A $51 billion state budget is now in the hands of
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who has already promised he will issue some
line-item vetoes.

Senate Appropriations Committee chair, Lincoln
Hough of Springfield, says he anticipates some line-item vetoes, pointing out
the legislature and the governor agreed to a consensus revenue estimate, but
that had to be done 18 months in advance.

“So, it’s hard to do this, but we try to do the
best job we can. You know the legislature came a little under what the governor
had built out in his budget that he released in the State of the State
(address) probably in January or something like that,” Hough tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post during a stop in St. Joseph. “At the end of the day, it’s his call.
He gets to make the final call.”

Hough is campaigning throughout the state as a
Republican candidate for Lt. Governor. He made a swing through northwest
Missouri, including the stop in St. Joseph at Parkway Distillery.

Though the governor is eyeing some spending that
he might cut from the budget approved by the legislature, Hough worries more
about whether the legislature failed to properly fund a couple of crucial
programs:&nbsp; Medicaid and managed health
care.

“Those bills have to be paid and I think there probably
are a couple of instances in this budget that the necessary appropriations amount
isn’t quite there,” Hough says.

Hough expects the legislature to have to address
shortfalls through a supplemental budget, either in the September veto session
or next year’s legislative session.

The only constitutional requirement of the
General Assembly when it meets in its regular session is to pass a state
budget. That is about all the legislature did this year. Even that proved
difficult. Friction within the Republican caucus in the Missouri Senate sparked
filibusters that derailed much legislation. Friction between the Missouri
Senate and the Missouri House derailed the normal budget process. Traditionally, the
two chambers appoint members to negotiate the differences between the budgets
approved in each. That didn’t happen. The Senate debated the budget
sent it from the House and sent it on to the governor without sitting down with
House budget committee members.

Still, Hough believes it’s a good spending plan.

“It’s a very conservative, I think, responsible
budget that still made investments in our teacher’s salaries, made investments
in our classrooms, made investments in higher education, made investments in infrastructure
all over state; law enforcement. There’s a lot of good things in there,” according
to Hough. “You and I are kind of waiting on the same thing to see what the
governor does.”

Gov. Parson has until the end of the month to
sign the budget.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718816313897.jpeg" alt="Sen. Lincoln Hough (left), Senate Appropriations Committee chair, speaks with former Senate Appropriations Committee chair, Dan Hegeman of Cosby, during a campaign stop in St. Joseph./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Lincoln Hough (left), Senate Appropriations Committee chair, speaks with former Senate Appropriations Committee chair, Dan Hegeman of Cosby, during a campaign stop in St. Joseph./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA $51 billion state budget is now in the hands of
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who has already promised he will issue some
line-item vetoes.Senate Appropriations Committee chair, Lincoln
Hough of Springfield, says he anticipates some line-item vetoes, pointing out
the legislature and the governor agreed to a consensus revenue estimate, but
that had to be done 18 months in advance.“So, it’s hard to do this, but we try to do the
best job we can. You know the legislature came a little under what the governor
had built out in his budget that he released in the State of the State
(address) probably in January or something like that,” Hough tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post during a stop in St. Joseph. “At the end of the day, it’s his call.
He gets to make the final call.”Hough is campaigning throughout the state as a
Republican candidate for Lt. Governor. He made a swing through northwest
Missouri, including the stop in St. Joseph at Parkway Distillery.Though the governor is eyeing some spending that
he might cut from the budget approved by the legislature, Hough worries more
about whether the legislature failed to properly fund a couple of crucial
programs:&nbsp; Medicaid and managed health
care.“Those bills have to be paid and I think there probably
are a couple of instances in this budget that the necessary appropriations amount
isn’t quite there,” Hough says.Hough expects the legislature to have to address
shortfalls through a supplemental budget, either in the September veto session
or next year’s legislative session.The only constitutional requirement of the
General Assembly when it meets in its regular session is to pass a state
budget. That is about all the legislature did this year. Even that proved
difficult. Friction within the Republican caucus in the Missouri Senate sparked
filibusters that derailed much legislation. Friction between the Missouri
Senate and the Missouri House derailed the normal budget process. Traditionally, the
two chambers appoint members to negotiate the differences between the budgets
approved in each. That didn’t happen. The Senate debated the budget
sent it from the House and sent it on to the governor without sitting down with
House budget committee members.Still, Hough believes it’s a good spending plan.“It’s a very conservative, I think, responsible
budget that still made investments in our teacher’s salaries, made investments
in our classrooms, made investments in higher education, made investments in infrastructure
all over state; law enforcement. There’s a lot of good things in there,” according
to Hough. “You and I are kind of waiting on the same thing to see what the
governor does.”Gov. Parson has until the end of the month to
sign the budget.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Senate budget chair, during St. Joseph visit, says he awaits governor's budget decision

A community outreach program is working to help men recovering from addiction, incarceration, and homelessness.  

The Crossing, an Urban Missions Campus, began in 2018 as an emergency homeless shelter, and has evolved to provide several programs helping the St. Joseph community.  

Executive Director Roger Lenander says the Re-Entry program, as it’s known, helps up to 12 men who have suffered get reacclimated into the community. 

"They come in for a minimum of 150 days and they will maintain full employment, there is a zero tolerance for use of any substance or alcohol," Lenander tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "But it's to provide support, it's not just providing a place to live." 

Men in the program are required to hold full time employment and also pay rent, which supports the program, helping them learn the importance of being a good tenant.  

Lenander says the program also provides are a part of recovery and entering into a community 

"One of the things is they're coming from places where they've either been self-destructive or other things have happened in their lives and they're working to rebuild that trust," Lenander explains. "How do you build and maintain healthy relationships; how do you discourage unhealthy relationships and begin to set up new boundaries." 

Lenander says the Re-Entry program launched in 2021 focusing on homelessness and incarceration victims.  

But at the start of this year Lenander says a partnership was formed with a group called Denovo, that works with people who suffer from addiction 

"As they came out is that they were desiring to stay sober, so the zero tolerance, but again this program looks like it's going to fit because what I need is a long term thing, it's not a short term fix," Lenander says. 

The program is also seeking volunteer help.  For more information you can contact The Crossing offices. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718809871098.jpeg" alt="The Crossing provides several services in St. Joseph to those in need/ Photo courtesy of The Crossing" />
 <figcaption>The Crossing provides several services in St. Joseph to those in need/ Photo courtesy of The Crossing</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A community outreach program is working to help men recovering from addiction, incarceration, and homelessness. The Crossing, an Urban Missions Campus, began in 2018 as an emergency homeless shelter, and has evolved to provide several programs helping the St. Joseph community. Executive Director Roger Lenander says the Re-Entry program, as it’s known, helps up to 12 men who have suffered get reacclimated into the community. "They come in for a minimum of 150 days and they will maintain full employment, there is a zero tolerance for use of any substance or alcohol," Lenander tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "But it's to provide support, it's not just providing a place to live." Men in the program are required to hold full time employment and also pay rent, which supports the program, helping them learn the importance of being a good tenant. Lenander says the program also provides are a part of recovery and entering into a community "One of the things is they're coming from places where they've either been self-destructive or other things have happened in their lives and they're working to rebuild that trust," Lenander explains. "How do you build and maintain healthy relationships; how do you discourage unhealthy relationships and begin to set up new boundaries." Lenander says the Re-Entry program launched in 2021 focusing on homelessness and incarceration victims. But at the start of this year Lenander says a partnership was formed with a group called Denovo, that works with people who suffer from addiction "As they came out is that they were desiring to stay sober, so the zero tolerance, but again this program looks like it's going to fit because what I need is a long term thing, it's not a short term fix," Lenander says. The program is also seeking volunteer help. For more information you can contact The Crossing offices.

The Crossing expands mental health, addiction programming in St. Joseph

Dozens of Missouri doctors joined in asking the court to uphold a federal law that allows doctors to perform emergency abortions in states with bans

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

When a woman experiencing a second trimester miscarriage came into the hospital bleeding through her clothes, Dr. Jennifer Smith couldn’t immediately help her.&nbsp;

Not while her fetus still had a heartbeat.

Too scared to wait for the miscarriage to progress far enough to be admitted to the hospital in Missouri, the woman and her husband drove to Illinois where she could obtain an abortion.&nbsp;

Until the situation is life-threatening to the mother, her hands are tied, said Smith, an OB-GYN in St. Louis. But at least in the worst emergency cases, Smith knows she can help thanks to a federal law called&nbsp;Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).

“It’s just hard to imagine that we’re living in a time where that actually may not be true,” Smith said.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/04/24/supreme-court-justices-appear-split-over-whether-to-protect-abortion-care-during-emergencies/">The U.S. Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;will soon decide whether a federal law mandating hospitals treat and stabilize every patient, regardless of their ability to pay, includes providing abortions where they are otherwise illegal.

In the case, the Biden administration sued Idaho to block enforcement of its abortion ban, arguing that it violated EMTALA by denying women abortions in emergency situations. Idaho bans abortions in almost all cases, with exceptions to save the life of the pregnant woman or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.&nbsp;

In response,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-727/290151/20231120154722276_2023-11-20%20Motion%20with%20Appendix.pdf">Idaho argued</a>&nbsp;that the federal law only requires “stabilizing treatment for&nbsp;the unborn children of pregnant women.” Idaho is asking the court to lift a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of its abortion ban in hospital emergency rooms.

The government is arguing that EMTALA&nbsp;requires hospitals to provide abortions needed to stabilize or save the life of a pregnant patient It also protects doctors from prosecution.

Without the law, hospitals and health care workers would have to wait until a mother is actually dying to proceed with a life-saving abortion, Smith said. St. Louis area hospitals still perform abortions for ectopic pregnancies, a nonviable pregnancy that if left unaddressed can be life-threatening to the mother, Smith said. But without EMTALA, she’s not so sure.

“It leaves every person involved in the care open to be prosecuted,” Smith said.

In May,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://19thnews.org/2024/05/doctors-letter-supreme-court-abortion-medical-emergencies/">nearly 6,000 physicians</a>&nbsp;across the country signed a letter on behalf of the Committee to Protect Health Care asking the Supreme Court to uphold the federal law.&nbsp;

Smith was among 32 Missouri doctors to sign on.

In June 2022, Missouri became the first state to ban abortion following the Supreme Court case overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. The ban was triggered under a law passed in 2019 that made it effective with the Supreme Court action.

The 2019 law states abortions will only be permitted in cases of a medical emergency when “a delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”

Health care providers who perform abortions not necessary to save the woman’s life can be charged with a class B felony. If convicted, they would face up to 15 years in prison and their medical license could also be suspended or revoked.&nbsp;

Because of this ban, some doctors and hospitals in Idaho recently stopped admitting pregnant patients who came into the emergency room, potentially needing abortions to save their lives. Instead, women are being transferred to other states for treatment during emergency situations.&nbsp;

Since Roe was overturned, a Missouri hospital became one of the first in the nation to be cited for violating EMTALA by denying a pregnant woman emergency care.&nbsp;

In August 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/01/hospitals-in-joplin-kck-cited-for-denying-emergency-abortion-to-missouri-woman/">Mylissa Farmer entered a Joplin emergency room</a>&nbsp;after her water broke at about 18 weeks pregnant. Even though the pregnancy was no longer viable, because the fetus had a heartbeat, and because Farmer’s condition wasn’t immediately life-threatening, she was turned away. She returned the next day, was kept overnight and then released without additional treatment.

Freeman Health in Joplin was later cited for being in violation of federal law.&nbsp;

“Although her doctors advised her that her condition could rapidly deteriorate, they also advised that they could not provide her with the care that would prevent infection, hemorrhage, and potentially death because, they said, the hospital policies prohibited treatment that could be considered an abortion,” the report from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services stated. “This was a violation of the EMTALA protections that were designed to protect patients like her.”

Smith said that while she and her colleagues often aren’t able to immediately help patients who experience situations like Farmer, she can at least direct them to care a short drive away in Illinois.&nbsp;

Prior to the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe, Smith said if a pregnant patient experienced premature rupture of the membranes, they could deliver the baby so the family could have some memories to hold on to.&nbsp;

Often parents would get copies of their child’s footprints and say their goodbyes.

Now, since they can’t act while the fetus has a heartbeat, Smith said she refers patients to abortion clinics in Illinois where they can receive a surgical abortion. But as a result, they don’t get to hold their baby, and often have to navigate anti-abortion protesters on the way.&nbsp;

To Smith, it’s not worth risking the mother’s life and well-being to wait for her condition to deteriorate.&nbsp;

“To delay the care of the mother based on the beating heart of the baby is so counterproductive,” she said. “ … It just takes one emergency that we don’t act on or that we delay to change the life of a whole community.”

A decision in favor of Idaho could impair care for pregnant patients with serious injuries from car accidents or gunshots, or who suffer a stroke, Smith said. In those cases,&nbsp; saving the mother sometimes isn’t possible without first delivering the pregnancy, whether viable or not.&nbsp;

Pregnant women can quickly lose blood in emergency situations, potentially putting the mother and child’s lives at risk, she said.&nbsp;

“Unless you’re a trauma physician, it’s an amount of blood that nobody else in the hospital deals with. It’s an unbelievable amount and it can happen so fast,” she said. “If you have to wait and question your legal standing, the likelihood of saving that patient intact, saving the baby, saving her uterus, all of it, it just goes down all the time.”

The Supreme Court could rule on the EMTALA case as early as next week. Until then, doctors continue holding their breath.&nbsp;

“They’re just singling out pregnancy at this point,” Smith said. “But once you start chipping away at rights, it’s really unclear where the end point is.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718794587714.png" alt=" Jennifer Smith, an OBGYN, speaks about medical challenges without legal abortions in Missouri during a rally held by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom Friday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Jennifer Smith, an OBGYN, speaks about medical challenges without legal abortions in Missouri during a rally held by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom Friday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Dozens of Missouri doctors joined in asking the court to uphold a federal law that allows doctors to perform emergency abortions in states with bans</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>When a woman experiencing a second trimester miscarriage came into the hospital bleeding through her clothes, Dr. Jennifer Smith couldn’t immediately help her.&nbsp;Not while her fetus still had a heartbeat.Too scared to wait for the miscarriage to progress far enough to be admitted to the hospital in Missouri, the woman and her husband drove to Illinois where she could obtain an abortion.&nbsp;Until the situation is life-threatening to the mother, her hands are tied, said Smith, an OB-GYN in St. Louis. But at least in the worst emergency cases, Smith knows she can help thanks to a federal law called&nbsp;Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).“It’s just hard to imagine that we’re living in a time where that actually may not be true,” Smith said.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/04/24/supreme-court-justices-appear-split-over-whether-to-protect-abortion-care-during-emergencies/">The U.S. Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;will soon decide whether a federal law mandating hospitals treat and stabilize every patient, regardless of their ability to pay, includes providing abortions where they are otherwise illegal.In the case, the Biden administration sued Idaho to block enforcement of its abortion ban, arguing that it violated EMTALA by denying women abortions in emergency situations. Idaho bans abortions in almost all cases, with exceptions to save the life of the pregnant woman or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.&nbsp;In response,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-727/290151/20231120154722276_2023-11-20%20Motion%20with%20Appendix.pdf">Idaho argued</a>&nbsp;that the federal law only requires “stabilizing treatment for&nbsp;the unborn children of pregnant women.” Idaho is asking the court to lift a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of its abortion ban in hospital emergency rooms.The government is arguing that EMTALA&nbsp;requires hospitals to provide abortions needed to stabilize or save the life of a pregnant patient It also protects doctors from prosecution.Without the law, hospitals and health care workers would have to wait until a mother is actually dying to proceed with a life-saving abortion, Smith said. St. Louis area hospitals still perform abortions for ectopic pregnancies, a nonviable pregnancy that if left unaddressed can be life-threatening to the mother, Smith said. But without EMTALA, she’s not so sure.“It leaves every person involved in the care open to be prosecuted,” Smith said.In May,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://19thnews.org/2024/05/doctors-letter-supreme-court-abortion-medical-emergencies/">nearly 6,000 physicians</a>&nbsp;across the country signed a letter on behalf of the Committee to Protect Health Care asking the Supreme Court to uphold the federal law.&nbsp;Smith was among 32 Missouri doctors to sign on.In June 2022, Missouri became the first state to ban abortion following the Supreme Court case overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. The ban was triggered under a law passed in 2019 that made it effective with the Supreme Court action.The 2019 law states abortions will only be permitted in cases of a medical emergency when “a delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”Health care providers who perform abortions not necessary to save the woman’s life can be charged with a class B felony. If convicted, they would face up to 15 years in prison and their medical license could also be suspended or revoked.&nbsp;Because of this ban, some doctors and hospitals in Idaho recently stopped admitting pregnant patients who came into the emergency room, potentially needing abortions to save their lives. Instead, women are being transferred to other states for treatment during emergency situations.&nbsp;Since Roe was overturned, a Missouri hospital became one of the first in the nation to be cited for violating EMTALA by denying a pregnant woman emergency care.&nbsp;In August 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/01/hospitals-in-joplin-kck-cited-for-denying-emergency-abortion-to-missouri-woman/">Mylissa Farmer entered a Joplin emergency room</a>&nbsp;after her water broke at about 18 weeks pregnant. Even though the pregnancy was no longer viable, because the fetus had a heartbeat, and because Farmer’s condition wasn’t immediately life-threatening, she was turned away. She returned the next day, was kept overnight and then released without additional treatment.Freeman Health in Joplin was later cited for being in violation of federal law.&nbsp;“Although her doctors advised her that her condition could rapidly deteriorate, they also advised that they could not provide her with the care that would prevent infection, hemorrhage, and potentially death because, they said, the hospital policies prohibited treatment that could be considered an abortion,” the report from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services stated. “This was a violation of the EMTALA protections that were designed to protect patients like her.”Smith said that while she and her colleagues often aren’t able to immediately help patients who experience situations like Farmer, she can at least direct them to care a short drive away in Illinois.&nbsp;Prior to the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe, Smith said if a pregnant patient experienced premature rupture of the membranes, they could deliver the baby so the family could have some memories to hold on to.&nbsp;Often parents would get copies of their child’s footprints and say their goodbyes.Now, since they can’t act while the fetus has a heartbeat, Smith said she refers patients to abortion clinics in Illinois where they can receive a surgical abortion. But as a result, they don’t get to hold their baby, and often have to navigate anti-abortion protesters on the way.&nbsp;To Smith, it’s not worth risking the mother’s life and well-being to wait for her condition to deteriorate.&nbsp;“To delay the care of the mother based on the beating heart of the baby is so counterproductive,” she said. “ … It just takes one emergency that we don’t act on or that we delay to change the life of a whole community.”A decision in favor of Idaho could impair care for pregnant patients with serious injuries from car accidents or gunshots, or who suffer a stroke, Smith said. In those cases,&nbsp; saving the mother sometimes isn’t possible without first delivering the pregnancy, whether viable or not.&nbsp;Pregnant women can quickly lose blood in emergency situations, potentially putting the mother and child’s lives at risk, she said.&nbsp;“Unless you’re a trauma physician, it’s an amount of blood that nobody else in the hospital deals with. It’s an unbelievable amount and it can happen so fast,” she said. “If you have to wait and question your legal standing, the likelihood of saving that patient intact, saving the baby, saving her uterus, all of it, it just goes down all the time.”The Supreme Court could rule on the EMTALA case as early as next week. Until then, doctors continue holding their breath.&nbsp;“They’re just singling out pregnancy at this point,” Smith said. “But once you start chipping away at rights, it’s really unclear where the end point is.”

Emergency care for pregnant women at stake in Supreme Court case, Missouri doctor warns

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas woman with a history of jail time is back in custody.

On Monday, police arrested 24-year-old Chelsea R. Martin of Atchison on a Community Corrections detain order, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

In October police arrested Martin on a city warrant and in September on drug possession allegation, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718718107436.png" alt="Martin-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas woman with a history of jail time is back in custody.On Monday, police arrested 24-year-old Chelsea R. Martin of Atchison on a Community Corrections detain order, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.In October police arrested Martin on a city warrant and in September on drug possession allegation, according to online jail records.

Kansas woman with history of jail time is back in custody

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Tuesday in Nodaway County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Lauren N. Black, 32, Maryville, was southbound on U.S. 71 two miles south of Maryville.&nbsp;

The car rear-ended the towed unit of a 2016 Chevy Silverado driven by Brenda K. Stiens, 60, Maryville, who had slowed to turn east onto 300 Street.

Nodaway County EMS transported Black to Mosaic in Maryville. Stiens was not injured.&nbsp; Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Tuesday in Nodaway County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Lauren N. Black, 32, Maryville, was southbound on U.S. 71 two miles south of Maryville.&nbsp; The car rear-ended the towed unit of a 2016 Chevy Silverado driven by Brenda K. Stiens, 60, Maryville, who had slowed to turn east onto 300 Street.Nodaway County EMS transported Black to Mosaic in Maryville. Stiens was not injured.&nbsp; Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after rear-end crash

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves defends sending
military aid to Ukraine as it continues to fight off the invasion of Russia.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, sparking a war
that continues to rage.

Graves, a Republican, says the United States must stop
Russia’s advance before it reaches the Baltic states.

“Those are allied nations with the United States. Those are NATO
nations,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And by the way, we already have
troops in those countries, but we will have U.S. military personnel fighting
Russians. So, we have to do everything we can to make sure that this is
executed in Ukraine and it doesn’t move into those NATO countries that have an alliance
with the United States.”

Graves, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, also
backs military aid to Israel, saying the country needs to stand strong with its
best ally in the Middle East as it fights Hamas, which attacked Israel in
October in what Graves calls one of the most heinous attacks witnessed in
modern history.

“This idea that we should back off and give refuge to Hamas so
that they can reconstitute I think is just ridiculous,” Graves says. “I think
we need to stand strong with Israel and give them whatever they need when it
comes to arms. &nbsp;We can’t be weak; we can’t
show weakness and that is exactly what the United States is doing right now.”

Graves objects to President Joe Biden putting stipulations on
the military aid sent to Israel. And Graves says Hamas has used human shields
in defend itself against Israeli forces.

“Hamas is a terrorist organization and allowing them to
reconstitute, which is exactly what the president is going to do if he were to
get his way, I think it’s very weak and it shows a very weak posture,” according
to Graves.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves defends sending
military aid to Ukraine as it continues to fight off the invasion of Russia.Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, sparking a war
that continues to rage.Graves, a Republican, says the United States must stop
Russia’s advance before it reaches the Baltic states.“Those are allied nations with the United States. Those are NATO
nations,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And by the way, we already have
troops in those countries, but we will have U.S. military personnel fighting
Russians. So, we have to do everything we can to make sure that this is
executed in Ukraine and it doesn’t move into those NATO countries that have an alliance
with the United States.”Graves, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, also
backs military aid to Israel, saying the country needs to stand strong with its
best ally in the Middle East as it fights Hamas, which attacked Israel in
October in what Graves calls one of the most heinous attacks witnessed in
modern history.“This idea that we should back off and give refuge to Hamas so
that they can reconstitute I think is just ridiculous,” Graves says. “I think
we need to stand strong with Israel and give them whatever they need when it
comes to arms. &nbsp;We can’t be weak; we can’t
show weakness and that is exactly what the United States is doing right now.”Graves objects to President Joe Biden putting stipulations on
the military aid sent to Israel. And Graves says Hamas has used human shields
in defend itself against Israeli forces.“Hamas is a terrorist organization and allowing them to
reconstitute, which is exactly what the president is going to do if he were to
get his way, I think it’s very weak and it shows a very weak posture,” according
to Graves.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Congressman Graves backs military aid to Ukraine and Israel

KANSAS CITY—Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas last month.

Now the school's president&nbsp;Stephen D. Minnis published an Op-Ed in USA Today to explain why the college did not say more in the midst of the&nbsp; debate on Butker's comments.

(Click below to watch Butker's commencement address)

Stephen Minnis comments and a link to the Op-Ed are below:

Thank you to everyone who has reached out since the commencement speech on our campus by Harrison Butker, the high scorer for the Kansas City Chiefs in the last two Super Bowls.

This morning&nbsp;USA Today&nbsp;published my Op-Ed about this year’s keynote commencement speech and the aftermath.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benedictine.edu/wp-content/uploads/files/external/benedictine-usatoday-oped-june-2024.pdf">Click here to read the Op-ed</a>.

“Community is the answer to the cancel culture; faith is the answer to the culture of unbelief; and scholarship is the answer to the culture of relativism.”

Also, please do not miss the full story of our amazing 2024 commencement:

Our hope is that we can make the most of the new attention being paid to Benedictine College to help people know more about what makes this place special. Our alumni and friends who support our mission have made our college what it is, and we could not do what we do without you.

KANSAS CITY—Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas last month.Now the school's president&nbsp;Stephen D. Minnis published an Op-Ed in USA Today to explain why the college did not say more in the midst of the&nbsp; debate on Butker's comments.(Click below to watch Butker's commencement address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JS7RIKSaCc?si=RNpBICNdkwwgUG5w" 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>Stephen Minnis comments and a link to the Op-Ed are below:Thank you to everyone who has reached out since the commencement speech on our campus by Harrison Butker, the high scorer for the Kansas City Chiefs in the last two Super Bowls.This morning&nbsp;USA Today&nbsp;published my Op-Ed about this year’s keynote commencement speech and the aftermath.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benedictine.edu/wp-content/uploads/files/external/benedictine-usatoday-oped-june-2024.pdf">Click here to read the Op-ed</a>.<ul>
 <li>The article explains why the college did not make a statement about the speech.</li><li>More importantly, it allows us to introduce Benedictine College and our strategic vision to Transform Culture in America through our mission of community, faith and scholarship. As the article puts it:</li>
 </ul>“Community is the answer to the cancel culture; faith is the answer to the culture of unbelief; and scholarship is the answer to the culture of relativism.”<ul>
 <li>It also shares the news about our new classically designed library on campus and the proposed new medical school we are considering.</li>
 </ul>Also, please do not miss the full story of our amazing 2024 commencement:<ul>
 <li>Our alum Lt. Gen. Arthur Greg, the first living American to have an Army base named for him, received an honorary degree at commencement.&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/XlSkqHE4ry4?si=vbCyzMS-ancwKsHm">Watch his remarks here</a>.</li><li>Our valedictorians delivered beautiful remarks about their experiences at the college.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRh2vI_7OvE&amp;t=591s">Watch those here</a>.</li><li>After the commencement, we have been releasing videos to introduce the general public to the college’s story. Watch our videos “<a href="https://youtu.be/yh7k86dNMK8?si=Eq8EUyTZBcXLw9Gl">We Are Benedictine College</a>” and “<a href="https://youtu.be/hMR9NR3PJHM?si=X8vDH0tfVCUd2f6K">Designed for Excellence: Benedictine College Engineering</a>” on YouTube.</li>
 </ul>Our hope is that we can make the most of the new attention being paid to Benedictine College to help people know more about what makes this place special. Our alumni and friends who support our mission have made our college what it is, and we could not do what we do without you.

Read Benedictine College president's op-ed following Harrison Butker speech

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Monday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Honda ATV driven by Kenneth D. Kerns, 62, Stewartsville, was westbound on SW Kerns Road three miles east of Easton.&nbsp;

The ATV struck a southbound 2013 GMC pickup driven by Samuel G. Criger, 19, Stewartsville, who was pulling out of a private driver. After impact Kerns was ejected from the ATV.

DeKalb County ambulance transported Kerns to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Criger was not injured. Kerns was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Monday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Honda ATV driven by Kenneth D. Kerns, 62, Stewartsville, was westbound on SW Kerns Road three miles east of Easton.&nbsp;The ATV struck a southbound 2013 GMC pickup driven by Samuel G. Criger, 19, Stewartsville, who was pulling out of a private driver. After impact Kerns was ejected from the ATV.DeKalb County ambulance transported Kerns to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Criger was not injured. Kerns was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man injured after ATV, pickup crash

History came to life in front of the historic Patee House museum, the original home of the Pony Express, as the historic mail system rode again.   

People from near and far celebrated and sent off three riders to kick off the Pony Express re-ride, recreating the historic journey made from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.  

The Re-Ride is held every year by the National Pony Express Association, which covers all eight states of the journey.  

Penny Orrick has been taking part in the event for 23 years and says for her it started with her love for horses, but as she learned the history of the Pony Express.  

"I've learned to value the history behind it a lot more, especially now that my kids are old enough to be able to do it with me, it's fun to be able to explain to them why we're doing it besides just to have fun on a horse," Orrick tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

The journey will consist of 10 days, just like in 1860.  Orrick says if anything the journey is easier now than it was back in 1860.  

"We have better routes, we have escorts, that kind of thing," Orrick explains. "I know a lot of the times when they make the deciding factor on when to do the reenactment it has to do with the moon, to make sure there's enough moonlight during the night ride that kind of thing." 

Orrick says if anything the difficulty is it being a lost art with not as many people riding horses.  

National Pony Express Association president Pam Dixon Simmons says it takes about 700 volunteers to get the event done 

"It takes about 700 riders' horses to get across all eight states in the 10 days, and that's the goal, we want to do it in 10 days just like in 1860," Dixon Simmons says. 

The riders making the journey can be tracked by visiting the National Pony Express Association website, which can be found by clicking <a href="https://nationalponyexpress.org/re-ride/follow-the-ride/">HERE</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718665116787.jpeg" alt="Riders depart from in front of the Patee House in St. Joseph as part of the annual Pony Express Re-Ride/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Riders depart from in front of the Patee House in St. Joseph as part of the annual Pony Express Re-Ride/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post History came to life in front of the historic Patee House museum, the original home of the Pony Express, as the historic mail system rode again. People from near and far celebrated and sent off three riders to kick off the Pony Express re-ride, recreating the historic journey made from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. The Re-Ride is held every year by the National Pony Express Association, which covers all eight states of the journey. Penny Orrick has been taking part in the event for 23 years and says for her it started with her love for horses, but as she learned the history of the Pony Express. "I've learned to value the history behind it a lot more, especially now that my kids are old enough to be able to do it with me, it's fun to be able to explain to them why we're doing it besides just to have fun on a horse," Orrick tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718665245888.jpeg" alt="Riders take the oath of the Pony Express before departing on a 10 day journey recreating the journey from St. Joseph to Sacramento, Califronia/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Riders take the oath of the Pony Express before departing on a 10 day journey recreating the journey from St. Joseph to Sacramento, Califronia/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>The journey will consist of 10 days, just like in 1860. Orrick says if anything the journey is easier now than it was back in 1860. "We have better routes, we have escorts, that kind of thing," Orrick explains. "I know a lot of the times when they make the deciding factor on when to do the reenactment it has to do with the moon, to make sure there's enough moonlight during the night ride that kind of thing." Orrick says if anything the difficulty is it being a lost art with not as many people riding horses. National Pony Express Association president Pam Dixon Simmons says it takes about 700 volunteers to get the event done "It takes about 700 riders' horses to get across all eight states in the 10 days, and that's the goal, we want to do it in 10 days just like in 1860," Dixon Simmons says. The riders making the journey can be tracked by visiting the National Pony Express Association website, which can be found by clicking <a href="https://nationalponyexpress.org/re-ride/follow-the-ride/">HERE</a>. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718665282936.jpeg" alt="Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Pony-Express-Re-Ride-departs-from-St--Joseph-e2l0cjc" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

History comes to life as the Pony Express rides again from St. Joseph

A former mental patient who confessed to the 1980 murder of a St.
Joseph State Hospital librarian will be released from the Chillicothe women’s prison
unless prosecutors decide to retry her.

A judge has overturned the conviction of Sandra Hemme in the death
of 31-year-old librarian Patricia Jeschke. Hemme, who is now 63, has spent 43
years in prison after her conviction in Jeschke’s death.

Livingston County Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman found Hemme has a
credible claim of innocence. Prosecutors have 30 days to decide whether another
trial should be held.

The Innocence Project, which petitioned for Hemme’s release, claims
investigators ignored her mental state and evidence that implicated discredited
police officer Michael Holman, who was fired from the St. Joseph Police Department
and died in 2015. Judge Horsman wrote that no evidence points to Hemme, but
directly ties Holman to the murder scene.

An initial plea of guilty by Hemme was thrown out by the court,
but a jury convicted her of murder in 1985 after a one-day trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687623288901.png" alt="Sandra Hemme" />
 <figcaption>Sandra Hemme</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA former mental patient who confessed to the 1980 murder of a St.
Joseph State Hospital librarian will be released from the Chillicothe women’s prison
unless prosecutors decide to retry her.A judge has overturned the conviction of Sandra Hemme in the death
of 31-year-old librarian Patricia Jeschke. Hemme, who is now 63, has spent 43
years in prison after her conviction in Jeschke’s death.Livingston County Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman found Hemme has a
credible claim of innocence. Prosecutors have 30 days to decide whether another
trial should be held.The Innocence Project, which petitioned for Hemme’s release, claims
investigators ignored her mental state and evidence that implicated discredited
police officer Michael Holman, who was fired from the St. Joseph Police Department
and died in 2015. Judge Horsman wrote that no evidence points to Hemme, but
directly ties Holman to the murder scene.An initial plea of guilty by Hemme was thrown out by the court,
but a jury convicted her of murder in 1985 after a one-day trial.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Judge orders Hemme released after serving 43 years for St. Joseph murder

North 36th
Street is closed to through traffic from Frederick Avenue to Beck Road while
workers upgrade the water main.

Sprague Excavating
says the closure will be at 1201 N. 36th Street.

Motorists
trying to get to LeBlond High School should enter from Frederick Avenue to the
south.&nbsp; All other business and
residential access north of the closure will be accessible by entering from
Beck Road to the north.

Sprague
Excavating urges caution in the area and advises motorists to plan alternate
routes if possible.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorth 36th
Street is closed to through traffic from Frederick Avenue to Beck Road while
workers upgrade the water main.Sprague Excavating
says the closure will be at 1201 N. 36th Street.Motorists
trying to get to LeBlond High School should enter from Frederick Avenue to the
south.&nbsp; All other business and
residential access north of the closure will be accessible by entering from
Beck Road to the north.Sprague
Excavating urges caution in the area and advises motorists to plan alternate
routes if possible.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

North 36th Street closed for water main work; access to LeBlond HS affected

The Kansas City Chiefs announced dates for training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

This marks the 14th year of training camp at Missouri Western. All times and dates are subject to change. All practices will take place on the Mosaic Training Fields. There'll be 19 practices in all.

Open practices begin July 21 and conclude&nbsp; August 15. All training camp practices will be free of charge to the public, unless otherwise noted.

Training camp tickets must be reserved in advance at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/trainingcamp/" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/trainingcamp/</a>.

Due to expected interest and demand, attendance each day will be limited. Ticket reservations will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 20 for Chiefs Season Ticket Members followed by the general public on Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m.

Fans can reserve a maximum of six tickets per practice, and can reserve tickets for a maximum of three separate practices.

Paid practice days will require advance payment to reserve tickets, while only Chiefs Season Ticket Members have the option to reserve tickets for the exclusive Season Ticket Member days.

Chiefs Tailgate Suites will be available for purchase in the North Endzone for groups of 10 or more. Tailgate Suites offer a private viewing space next to the field with food and beverage and climate-controlled access in the Tailgate Suite.&nbsp; For more information, or to reserve your tailgate suite, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/trainingcamp" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/trainingcamp</a>.&nbsp;

All tickets are mobile entry only through the Chiefs Mobile app. Tickets and parking are subject to the Chiefs ticket terms which can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/tickets/terms/specialeventticketterms" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/tickets/terms/specialeventticketterms</a>.

Missouri Western will charge a $5 parking fee per vehicle per day, with the exception of the two exclusive Chiefs Season Ticket Member days when parking is free. Fans are required to pre-purchase parking, and that can be done during the ticket reservation process.

Missouri Western will charge a $5 admission fee on three different days – Sunday, July 21; Saturday, July 27 (Family Fun Day) and Sunday, August 4.

The Chiefs will host two free, exclusive Season Ticket Member days that are not open to the public – Monday, July 22 and Wednesday, August 7. Ambassador Day will take place on Monday, July 29 and Military Appreciation Day will be Thursday, August 15. Team autograph sessions are scheduled to take place July 21, July 22, July 27, August 4 and August 7.

Weather and field conditions are evaluated daily. All dates and times are subject to change. If practice is moved indoors due to&nbsp; weather, it will be closed to the general public. Fans will be notified by email and/or text message as soon as a decision is made.

Dates&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; Times Sunday, July 21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m $5 Admission *Team Autograph Session

Monday, July 22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day - (Not Open to General Public)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *Team Autograph Session

Tuesday, July 23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; Autographs: Linebackers

Wednesday, July 24&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;Autographs: DBs

Thursday, July 25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No Practice

Friday, July 26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *Autographs: Quarterbacks, Running Backs &amp; Specialists

Saturday, July 27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. *$5 Admission– Family Fun Day -&nbsp;Team Autograph Session

Sunday, July 28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;Autographs: WRs and TEs

Monday, July 29&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; Ambassador Day *Autographs: Offensive/Defensive Line

Tuesday, July 30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No Practice

Wednesday, July 31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Autographs: Linebackers

Thursday, Aug. 1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. Autographs: DBs

Friday, Aug. 2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. *Autographs: QBs, RBs, Special Teams

Saturday, Aug. 3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No Practice

Sunday, Aug. 4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.$5 Admission *Team Autograph Session

Monday, Aug. 5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. Autographs: WRs, TEs

Tuesday, Aug. 6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. *Autographs: Offensive Line &amp; Defensive Line

Wednesday, Aug. 7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day - (Not Open to General Public) *Team Autograph Session

Thursday, Aug. 8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No Practice

Friday, Aug. 9&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;No Practice

Saturday, Aug. 10&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Preseason Game – Chiefs @ Jaguars – 6 p.m. CT

Sunday, Aug. 11 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No Practice

Monday, Aug. 12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Practice – 10:15 a.m.&nbsp;Autographs: Linebackers

Tuesday, Aug. 13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. Autographs: DBs

Wednesday, Aug. 14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp;Autographs: OL/DL

Thursday, Aug. 15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 8:15 a.m. *Military Appreciation Day – Final Camp Practice

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690280396128.png" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Chiefs announced dates for training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.This marks the 14th year of training camp at Missouri Western. All times and dates are subject to change. All practices will take place on the Mosaic Training Fields. There'll be 19 practices in all.Open practices begin July 21 and conclude&nbsp; August 15. All training camp practices will be free of charge to the public, unless otherwise noted.Training camp tickets must be reserved in advance at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/trainingcamp/" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/trainingcamp/</a>.Due to expected interest and demand, attendance each day will be limited. Ticket reservations will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 20 for Chiefs Season Ticket Members followed by the general public on Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m.Fans can reserve a maximum of six tickets per practice, and can reserve tickets for a maximum of three separate practices.Paid practice days will require advance payment to reserve tickets, while only Chiefs Season Ticket Members have the option to reserve tickets for the exclusive Season Ticket Member days.Chiefs Tailgate Suites will be available for purchase in the North Endzone for groups of 10 or more. Tailgate Suites offer a private viewing space next to the field with food and beverage and climate-controlled access in the Tailgate Suite.&nbsp; For more information, or to reserve your tailgate suite, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/trainingcamp" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/trainingcamp</a>.&nbsp;All tickets are mobile entry only through the Chiefs Mobile app. Tickets and parking are subject to the Chiefs ticket terms which can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/tickets/terms/specialeventticketterms" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/tickets/terms/specialeventticketterms</a>.Missouri Western will charge a $5 parking fee per vehicle per day, with the exception of the two exclusive Chiefs Season Ticket Member days when parking is free. Fans are required to pre-purchase parking, and that can be done during the ticket reservation process.Missouri Western will charge a $5 admission fee on three different days – Sunday, July 21; Saturday, July 27 (Family Fun Day) and Sunday, August 4.The Chiefs will host two free, exclusive Season Ticket Member days that are not open to the public – Monday, July 22 and Wednesday, August 7. Ambassador Day will take place on Monday, July 29 and Military Appreciation Day will be Thursday, August 15. Team autograph sessions are scheduled to take place July 21, July 22, July 27, August 4 and August 7.Weather and field conditions are evaluated daily. All dates and times are subject to change. If practice is moved indoors due to&nbsp; weather, it will be closed to the general public. Fans will be notified by email and/or text message as soon as a decision is made.Dates&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; Times Sunday, July 21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m $5 Admission *Team Autograph SessionMonday, July 22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day - (Not Open to General Public)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *Team Autograph SessionTuesday, July 23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; Autographs: LinebackersWednesday, July 24&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;Autographs: DBsThursday, July 25&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No PracticeFriday, July 26&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *Autographs: Quarterbacks, Running Backs &amp; SpecialistsSaturday, July 27&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. *$5 Admission– Family Fun Day -&nbsp;Team Autograph SessionSunday, July 28&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;Autographs: WRs and TEsMonday, July 29&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; Ambassador Day *Autographs: Offensive/Defensive LineTuesday, July 30&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No PracticeWednesday, July 31&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Autographs: LinebackersThursday, Aug. 1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. Autographs: DBsFriday, Aug. 2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. *Autographs: QBs, RBs, Special TeamsSaturday, Aug. 3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No PracticeSunday, Aug. 4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.$5 Admission *Team Autograph SessionMonday, Aug. 5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. Autographs: WRs, TEsTuesday, Aug. 6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. *Autographs: Offensive Line &amp; Defensive LineWednesday, Aug. 7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day - (Not Open to General Public) *Team Autograph SessionThursday, Aug. 8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No PracticeFriday, Aug. 9&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;No PracticeSaturday, Aug. 10&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Preseason Game – Chiefs @ Jaguars – 6 p.m. CTSunday, Aug. 11 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No PracticeMonday, Aug. 12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Practice – 10:15 a.m.&nbsp;Autographs: LinebackersTuesday, Aug. 13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m. Autographs: DBsWednesday, Aug. 14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp;Autographs: OL/DLThursday, Aug. 15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Practice – 8:15 a.m. *Military Appreciation Day – Final Camp Practice

Chiefs, Missouri Western announce 2024 training camp schedule

A national trend shows a decline in the number of people going out to fish and hunt. 

However, Deputy Director at the Missouri Department of Conservation Aaron Jeffries, says Missouri hasn’t really seen that decline.  

"We don't have lotteries or any stuff like that, I mean you look at western states and it's getting ridiculous on how much their permits cost and they're prohibiting nonresidents or limiting nonresidents," Jeffries tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr and guest Kyle Carroll. "So, I think you have to look at the regulations we have, what is the programs we can offer to start up a new hunter." 

Jeffries, says though while the state has not seen much of a decline, it is evident that times are changing 

"Younger generations, they may not be interested in hunting and fishing, we need to work to find ways to engage them in there, but then also look at things beyond that," Jeffries explains.  "Some of our more popular educational programs are native plants, kayaking, and bird watching." 

Jeffries says that the trend is an outgrowth of a changing society. 

"To say folks aren't interested in the outdoors, I would say they may not be interested in hunting and fishing, but our surveys have shown they still have a lot of interest in nature," Jeffries says. "So, all state fishing and wildlife agencies are really trying to adapt and change right now to look beyond just hunters and anglers." 

Jeffries says Missouri has always focused on conservation from every angle which is why there are many nature centers and other programs outside of hunting and fishing. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A national trend shows a decline in the number of people going out to fish and hunt. However, Deputy Director at the Missouri Department of Conservation Aaron Jeffries, says Missouri hasn’t really seen that decline. "We don't have lotteries or any stuff like that, I mean you look at western states and it's getting ridiculous on how much their permits cost and they're prohibiting nonresidents or limiting nonresidents," Jeffries tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr and guest Kyle Carroll. "So, I think you have to look at the regulations we have, what is the programs we can offer to start up a new hunter." Jeffries, says though while the state has not seen much of a decline, it is evident that times are changing "Younger generations, they may not be interested in hunting and fishing, we need to work to find ways to engage them in there, but then also look at things beyond that," Jeffries explains. "Some of our more popular educational programs are native plants, kayaking, and bird watching." Jeffries says that the trend is an outgrowth of a changing society. "To say folks aren't interested in the outdoors, I would say they may not be interested in hunting and fishing, but our surveys have shown they still have a lot of interest in nature," Jeffries says. "So, all state fishing and wildlife agencies are really trying to adapt and change right now to look beyond just hunters and anglers." Jeffries says Missouri has always focused on conservation from every angle which is why there are many nature centers and other programs outside of hunting and fishing. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri avoiding nationwide trend of declining number of hunters and fishers

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/katelynmcilwain/">KATELYN MCILWAIN</a>

The recent UM System Board of Curators petition to remove racial and ethnic criteria from 53 donated scholarships and funds is a final step in a year-long process that has already removed such criteria from millions of dollars in student aid.

University of Missouri spokesperson Christian Basi said the university awarded $12.3 million in institutional financial aid with a race and ethnicity component in the 2022-23 academic year — about 6.4% of the university’s financial aid budget.

In the same year, Basi said the university awarded $457,000 in endowed donor scholarships that had a race and ethnicity component. This made up about 2.3% of money from endowed scholarships across the University Missouri System.

But after the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2023 ruling that outlawed race-based admissions — and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s same-day letter expanding that standard to scholarships, programs and employment — the system immediately started removing racial or ethnic criteria from institutional scholarships.

Basi said the university also started reviewing and altering race-based scholarships that are facilitated through endowments or donations.

“Many of the existing endowments already had a legal clause in them that allows us to change criteria, or other aspects of the gift, if those aspects become illegal,” Basi said.

But some of the endowments didn’t have that legal clause. So, the university had to seek permission from those donors to change the scholarship criteria. Basi said that of the donors the university tried to contact, 53 were unreachable. This was a small amount compared to the number of endowment funds they had already altered or sought permission to alter.

Now, the university is asking the 13th Circuit Court for Boone County to allow the removal of racial and ethnic criteria without input from the remaining 53 donors.

“There’s a long history of modification of gifts, and the petition explains the circumstances where it becomes unlawful or wasteful or impractical,” said Adrienne Davis, the William M. Van Cleve Professor of Law at Washington University. “An easy example is if someone made a gift to eradicate polio, and then polio gets eradicated. What do you do after that?”

But Davis said both the Missouri Attorney General and the UM System have applied a broad interpretation of the Supreme Court’s Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College ruling. She said the petition will likely succeed, but that the effort isn’t necessary.

“It’s certainly not required at this point, because the scope of the decision only applies to admissions, not to scholarships, and certainly not to private gifts for scholarships at issue,” Davis said.

Gifts listed in the petition include funds like the Richard A. Holmes, M.D. Minority Medical Student Scholarship Fund, which was established in honor of Dr. Holmes after he died in July 2016. According to the Mizzou Give Direct website, Holmes was the first African American professor at the MU School of Medicine, and the scholarship named in his honor is meant to “further the education of medical students, particularly African American students and those seeking to care for the underserved.”

Another scholarship in the MU School of Medicine listed in the petition is the Doud Scholarship, which is meant to be given to “applicants of Irish descent.”

One person who set up an endowment fund for students in a racial minority spoke with KBIA and said he is not pleased with the proposed changes to the original endowment agreement. He requested to remain anonymous out of concern for how his perspective might affect the way the university works with him moving forward.

“I think the contract that they put in front of us is heavy-handed,” he said. His main concern was that the new contract does not provide as much detail about how the funds would be used, in comparison to their previous contract.

Basi said instead of awarding based on racial or ethnic criteria, the university will likely look at increasing the amount of money given to students who show financial need and/or who are first generation.

Jazlen Durgins is a former MU accelerated nursing student who benefited from a scholarship administered through the Mizzou Alumni Association. She said it was geared toward Black students from certain parts of St. Louis and paid for 50% of her student loan balance. To Durgins, specificity to marginalized communities matters.

“It is common knowledge that Black and brown students are at a disadvantage economically and systematically when compared to their white counterparts,” Durgins wrote in an email. She is currently a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse. “Because of all the odds against us, we need some sort of way to get ahead. Scholarships help so many students pay for school and it’s still not even enough. I fear that this new policy will lead to a decline in Black/brown students being able to be admitted into these institutions and also finishing their degree.”

Davis said there are other options the university could have taken in response to the Supreme Court ruling last June.

“It could have sort of sat and said, ‘We’re going to see what happens with this, with the interpretation of the Supreme Court case. Right now, it’s only about admissions,’” Davis said.

Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, took a similar stance. He told Inside Higher Education in July 2023 that the association did not advise the decision the UM System made.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718457498857.png" alt="The University of Missouri-Columbia. (University of Missouri photo)" />
 <figcaption>The University of Missouri-Columbia. (University of Missouri photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/katelynmcilwain/">KATELYN MCILWAIN</a>The recent UM System Board of Curators petition to remove racial and ethnic criteria from 53 donated scholarships and funds is a final step in a year-long process that has already removed such criteria from millions of dollars in student aid.University of Missouri spokesperson Christian Basi said the university awarded $12.3 million in institutional financial aid with a race and ethnicity component in the 2022-23 academic year — about 6.4% of the university’s financial aid budget.In the same year, Basi said the university awarded $457,000 in endowed donor scholarships that had a race and ethnicity component. This made up about 2.3% of money from endowed scholarships across the University Missouri System.But after the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2023 ruling that outlawed race-based admissions — and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s same-day letter expanding that standard to scholarships, programs and employment — the system immediately started removing racial or ethnic criteria from institutional scholarships.Basi said the university also started reviewing and altering race-based scholarships that are facilitated through endowments or donations.“Many of the existing endowments already had a legal clause in them that allows us to change criteria, or other aspects of the gift, if those aspects become illegal,” Basi said.But some of the endowments didn’t have that legal clause. So, the university had to seek permission from those donors to change the scholarship criteria. Basi said that of the donors the university tried to contact, 53 were unreachable. This was a small amount compared to the number of endowment funds they had already altered or sought permission to alter.Now, the university is asking the 13th Circuit Court for Boone County to allow the removal of racial and ethnic criteria without input from the remaining 53 donors.“There’s a long history of modification of gifts, and the petition explains the circumstances where it becomes unlawful or wasteful or impractical,” said Adrienne Davis, the William M. Van Cleve Professor of Law at Washington University. “An easy example is if someone made a gift to eradicate polio, and then polio gets eradicated. What do you do after that?”But Davis said both the Missouri Attorney General and the UM System have applied a broad interpretation of the Supreme Court’s Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College ruling. She said the petition will likely succeed, but that the effort isn’t necessary.“It’s certainly not required at this point, because the scope of the decision only applies to admissions, not to scholarships, and certainly not to private gifts for scholarships at issue,” Davis said.Gifts listed in the petition include funds like the Richard A. Holmes, M.D. Minority Medical Student Scholarship Fund, which was established in honor of Dr. Holmes after he died in July 2016. According to the Mizzou Give Direct website, Holmes was the first African American professor at the MU School of Medicine, and the scholarship named in his honor is meant to “further the education of medical students, particularly African American students and those seeking to care for the underserved.”Another scholarship in the MU School of Medicine listed in the petition is the Doud Scholarship, which is meant to be given to “applicants of Irish descent.”One person who set up an endowment fund for students in a racial minority spoke with KBIA and said he is not pleased with the proposed changes to the original endowment agreement. He requested to remain anonymous out of concern for how his perspective might affect the way the university works with him moving forward.“I think the contract that they put in front of us is heavy-handed,” he said. His main concern was that the new contract does not provide as much detail about how the funds would be used, in comparison to their previous contract.Basi said instead of awarding based on racial or ethnic criteria, the university will likely look at increasing the amount of money given to students who show financial need and/or who are first generation.Jazlen Durgins is a former MU accelerated nursing student who benefited from a scholarship administered through the Mizzou Alumni Association. She said it was geared toward Black students from certain parts of St. Louis and paid for 50% of her student loan balance. To Durgins, specificity to marginalized communities matters.“It is common knowledge that Black and brown students are at a disadvantage economically and systematically when compared to their white counterparts,” Durgins wrote in an email. She is currently a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse. “Because of all the odds against us, we need some sort of way to get ahead. Scholarships help so many students pay for school and it’s still not even enough. I fear that this new policy will lead to a decline in Black/brown students being able to be admitted into these institutions and also finishing their degree.”Davis said there are other options the university could have taken in response to the Supreme Court ruling last June.“It could have sort of sat and said, ‘We’re going to see what happens with this, with the interpretation of the Supreme Court case. Right now, it’s only about admissions,’” Davis said.Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, took a similar stance. He told Inside Higher Education in July 2023 that the association did not advise the decision the UM System made.Students who received racial or ethnic-based awards before the SCOTUS ruling will continue to receive them until they graduate, leave the UM System or fall behind in their scholarship’s requirements. The incoming Fall 2024 class will be the first fall class since the SCOTUS ruling to arrive without access to scholarships with racial or ethnic criteria.As current students using racial or ethnic-based awards phase out of the university, Basi said more of those funds will become available and re-purposed, likely to scholarships awarded to low-income and/or first-generation students. He added that students and families can reach out to financial aid if they need assistance.“None of these scholarships are being discontinued,” Basi said. “We’re ensuring that money is available for students in the future to assist them with their costs in attending any one of the University of Missouri System universities.”Davis said that though the petition on the remaining 53 scholarships with racial and ethnic criteria will likely succeed, donors could file their own petition to have the gifts returned to them after the current petition is resolved.“We’ve seen this before, where universities have, for whatever reason, said that they can no longer honor a gift, and the donors, family, their children or grandchildren then petition to have the gift returned, or the gift forfeited,” Davis said.Steven Hoffmann, an attorney in St. Louis, said it could take months for the university’s petition to be resolved.This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/racial-criteria-already-removed-by-the-um-system-from-millions-of-dollars-in-student-aid/article_0b147e0a-2812-11ef-9365-eb4114e8aa12.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

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