Ads promoting sports wagering are already on the air, with other campaigns starting this week as they also reserve time for the final weeks before the election

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

Missouri’s November ballot is now set, and initiative campaigns are ramping up spending to convince voters to pass the proposals.

The first to go on the air last week was Winning for Missouri Education, the committee funded by online sports gambling companies for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-160.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment 2</a>, which would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/sports-wagering-minimum-wage-hike-headed-for-november-vote-in-missouri/">legalize betting</a>&nbsp;on college and professional games.

The committee spent $1.2 million for ads in every media market except north-central and northeast Missouri and another $4.7 million reserving air time through the Nov. 5 election.

Two other initiative campaigns —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-086.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment 3</a>, which would restore abortion rights, and for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-038.pdf" target="_blank">Proposition A</a>, to boost the minimum wage and require businesses to provide paid sick and family leave —&nbsp; are making major ad buys for October. Ads to promote passage Amendment 3 will also begin this week in several markets.

Opposition groups are forming to counter those campaigns, but only a group opposing sports wagering, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, has bought air time. The group, which formed on Tuesday, on Friday reported $4.1 million in contributions from Missouri casinos to the Missouri Ethics Commission. The group spent $546,805 last week for ads that will run this month in Springfield, St. Louis, Columbia and Kansas City.

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the committee campaigning for Amendment 3, has spent $3.9 million to purchase ads that will run continuously statewide starting with the week of Oct. 8. The ads that begin this week will run in the St. Louis and Springfield markets.

Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, the committee backing Proposition A, has spent $1.3 million for ads that will begin the week of Oct. 15.

The Independent tracks ad spending by reviewing documents broadcasters must file daily with the Federal Communications Commission. Those totals do not include spending for streaming platforms.&nbsp;

In the six statewide races, only U.S. Senate candidates Lucas Kunce, the Democratic candidate, and Josh Hawley, the Republican incumbent, have begun television campaigns.

Hawley, Kunce and a PAC supporting Hawley have spent $7.4 million on television since the start of August. Ballot measure spending so far totals $11.6 million.

The outlays to reserve time late in the election are standard strategies, Republican political consultant John Hancock said Thursday.

“You reserve from the back forward,” Hancock said. “You want to make sure you’re up as people are making decisions. It’s entirely possible that those campaigns will buy additional weeks as budgets permit.”

Hancock is working for the Osage River Gaming and Convention Committee, which is backing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-165.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment 5</a>&nbsp;on the ballot. The measure, which would authorize a new casino near the popular Lake of the Ozarks tourist area, is the only initiative campaign that has not followed up certification for the ballot with TV ad purchases. Hancock declined to discuss the timeline for doing so.

But after spending $4.3 million so far — all provided by Bally’s, which currently operates a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a major regional developer near the Lake of the Ozarks — a large outlay for advertising to support Amendment 5 is certain, said Jonathan Ratliff, a Republican consultant who is not currently working on any ballot measure campaigns.

“My rule always when you’re putting these together is if you’re not willing to spend the last million, you shouldn’t pay for the first million,” Ratliff said.

The sports wagering amendment, which&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/06/attempt-to-block-missouri-sports-betting-amendment-lacks-evidence-judge-rules/">survived a court challenge</a>&nbsp;questioning whether it received enough signatures, is using the promise of more money for education in its first ad. Ads from the opposition group, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, argue that promise won’t be kept.

The ad now running for the sports wagering initiative features a former teacher and promises it “will raise tens of millions of dollars every year for our classrooms, helping increase teacher pay.”

The fiscal note summary voters will see on the ballot estimates it will bring in $11.75 million in licensing fees, money that would cover the cost of administering the licensing process. Any extra in that fund goes to support veterans programs, including veterans nursing homes.

The net winnings from wagers would be taxed at 10%, which the fiscal summary estimates to be in a range of no new money up to $28.9 million annually. The tax would be applied after gambling companies deduct promotional costs like free wagers for new accounts.

A similar tax structure in Kansas has generated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.betkansas.com/revenue-report" target="_blank">$18.2 million in revenue</a>&nbsp;on $4.1 billion wagered since sports betting became legal in that state in September 2022.

“In reality, Amendment 2 contains no guarantees that a single penny will go to our schools,” Brooke Foster, spokeswoman for the anti-sports wagering committee, said in a news release.

Under the Missouri Constitution, all taxes on casino gambling and the state’s share of lottery ticket sales must be spent on education programs. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, the 21% tax on money won by casinos brought in $357.6 million and the lottery produced $388.8 million.

Lawmakers appropriated $8.7 billion from all funds for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and $1.4 billion for the Department of Higher Education.

There is nothing in the amendment that prevents lawmakers from reducing current spending by the amount of new revenue produced by sports wagering.

The sports wagering amendment will keep its promise to bring in tens of millions each year, spokesman Jack Cardetti said. There is little likelihood lawmakers will reduce current spending on education, he contends.

The new revenue could be a significant part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-education-department-says-state-funding-for-school-year-is-100-million-short/">$100 million needed</a>&nbsp;as supplemental spending for public schools in the current fiscal year, Cardetti said.

Winning for Missouri Education spent $6 million for the signature campaign to get on the ballot, all from the two major online sports betting platforms, DraftKings and FanDuel and their parent companies.&nbsp;

The $3.52 million contribution from DK Crown Holdings on Aug. 15 is the largest political donation in Missouri this year. BetFair Interactive, owner of FanDuel, added $1.5 million on Thursday.

The ads will run in every market in the state, Cardetti said.

“We’re going to be making sure that Missourians in every corner of the state know how important it is that Missouri doesn’t have sports betting,” he said. “As we sit here today, seven of our eight neighboring states have legalized sports betting, and those dollars are making improvements in those states. Missourians are missing out.

Changes to voting laws are pushing campaigns to spend money earlier, Hancock said. No-excuse absentee voting begins Oct. 22.

“I no longer think it makes practical sense to buy the last two weeks only,” he said. “You’ve got to have at least three.”

Ballot measure campaigns have two goals with their spending plans, Ratliff said. The first is to give an impression of invincibility with heavy rotations for their ads. The idea is to scare off&nbsp; opposition campaigns.

Ballot measures are easier to defeat than to pass, Ratliff said.

“If any of these groups have any opposition, it makes it a lot harder for them to be successful, especially something like the casino and sports betting stuff,” Ratliff said. “If they don’t have opposition, they have a much, much better chance of passing. Even the slimmest amount of opposition could really knock those back and keep them from passing.”

The key for the ad campaigns, of course, is to get the message seen. And the success of the Kansas City Chiefs is making their game broadcasts some of the most costly any campaign can buy.

Hawley spent $75,000 to run one 30-second spot on KSHB in Kansas City during the Chiefs’ opening game. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom spent $50,000 to reserve two ads during the Oct. 27 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on KMOV in St. Louis.

And it cost Winning for Missouri Education $30,000 for two ads on KJFX in Joplin during the Oct. 20 game against the San Francisco 49ers, the team the Chiefs defeated in this year’s Super Bowl.

Streaming services, cable channels and digital recording mean many viewers are choosing their own schedule for television viewing. But audiences still tune in to live sporting events, Ratliff said.

“They’re gonna watch that live, so they’re worth a lot more,” he said. “Those ads are crazy expensive, and you’re going to see those ads are more valuable because you’re gonna have eyes on it.”

<h2>Ads promoting sports wagering are already on the air, with other campaigns starting this week as they also reserve time for the final weeks before the election</h2>By RUDI KELLER &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s November ballot is now set, and initiative campaigns are ramping up spending to convince voters to pass the proposals.The first to go on the air last week was Winning for Missouri Education, the committee funded by online sports gambling companies for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-160.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment 2</a>, which would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/sports-wagering-minimum-wage-hike-headed-for-november-vote-in-missouri/">legalize betting</a>&nbsp;on college and professional games.The committee spent $1.2 million for ads in every media market except north-central and northeast Missouri and another $4.7 million reserving air time through the Nov. 5 election.Two other initiative campaigns —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-086.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment 3</a>, which would restore abortion rights, and for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-038.pdf" target="_blank">Proposition A</a>, to boost the minimum wage and require businesses to provide paid sick and family leave —&nbsp; are making major ad buys for October. Ads to promote passage Amendment 3 will also begin this week in several markets.Opposition groups are forming to counter those campaigns, but only a group opposing sports wagering, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, has bought air time. The group, which formed on Tuesday, on Friday reported $4.1 million in contributions from Missouri casinos to the Missouri Ethics Commission. The group spent $546,805 last week for ads that will run this month in Springfield, St. Louis, Columbia and Kansas City.Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the committee campaigning for Amendment 3, has spent $3.9 million to purchase ads that will run continuously statewide starting with the week of Oct. 8. The ads that begin this week will run in the St. Louis and Springfield markets.Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, the committee backing Proposition A, has spent $1.3 million for ads that will begin the week of Oct. 15.The Independent tracks ad spending by reviewing documents broadcasters must file daily with the Federal Communications Commission. Those totals do not include spending for streaming platforms.&nbsp;In the six statewide races, only U.S. Senate candidates Lucas Kunce, the Democratic candidate, and Josh Hawley, the Republican incumbent, have begun television campaigns.Hawley, Kunce and a PAC supporting Hawley have spent $7.4 million on television since the start of August. Ballot measure spending so far totals $11.6 million.The outlays to reserve time late in the election are standard strategies, Republican political consultant John Hancock said Thursday.“You reserve from the back forward,” Hancock said. “You want to make sure you’re up as people are making decisions. It’s entirely possible that those campaigns will buy additional weeks as budgets permit.”Hancock is working for the Osage River Gaming and Convention Committee, which is backing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions/2024-165.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment 5</a>&nbsp;on the ballot. The measure, which would authorize a new casino near the popular Lake of the Ozarks tourist area, is the only initiative campaign that has not followed up certification for the ballot with TV ad purchases. Hancock declined to discuss the timeline for doing so.But after spending $4.3 million so far — all provided by Bally’s, which currently operates a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a major regional developer near the Lake of the Ozarks — a large outlay for advertising to support Amendment 5 is certain, said Jonathan Ratliff, a Republican consultant who is not currently working on any ballot measure campaigns.“My rule always when you’re putting these together is if you’re not willing to spend the last million, you shouldn’t pay for the first million,” Ratliff said.The sports wagering amendment, which&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/06/attempt-to-block-missouri-sports-betting-amendment-lacks-evidence-judge-rules/">survived a court challenge</a>&nbsp;questioning whether it received enough signatures, is using the promise of more money for education in its first ad. Ads from the opposition group, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, argue that promise won’t be kept.The ad now running for the sports wagering initiative features a former teacher and promises it “will raise tens of millions of dollars every year for our classrooms, helping increase teacher pay.”The fiscal note summary voters will see on the ballot estimates it will bring in $11.75 million in licensing fees, money that would cover the cost of administering the licensing process. Any extra in that fund goes to support veterans programs, including veterans nursing homes.The net winnings from wagers would be taxed at 10%, which the fiscal summary estimates to be in a range of no new money up to $28.9 million annually. The tax would be applied after gambling companies deduct promotional costs like free wagers for new accounts.A similar tax structure in Kansas has generated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.betkansas.com/revenue-report" target="_blank">$18.2 million in revenue</a>&nbsp;on $4.1 billion wagered since sports betting became legal in that state in September 2022.“In reality, Amendment 2 contains no guarantees that a single penny will go to our schools,” Brooke Foster, spokeswoman for the anti-sports wagering committee, said in a news release.Under the Missouri Constitution, all taxes on casino gambling and the state’s share of lottery ticket sales must be spent on education programs. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, the 21% tax on money won by casinos brought in $357.6 million and the lottery produced $388.8 million.Lawmakers appropriated $8.7 billion from all funds for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and $1.4 billion for the Department of Higher Education.There is nothing in the amendment that prevents lawmakers from reducing current spending by the amount of new revenue produced by sports wagering.The sports wagering amendment will keep its promise to bring in tens of millions each year, spokesman Jack Cardetti said. There is little likelihood lawmakers will reduce current spending on education, he contends.The new revenue could be a significant part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-education-department-says-state-funding-for-school-year-is-100-million-short/">$100 million needed</a>&nbsp;as supplemental spending for public schools in the current fiscal year, Cardetti said.Winning for Missouri Education spent $6 million for the signature campaign to get on the ballot, all from the two major online sports betting platforms, DraftKings and FanDuel and their parent companies.&nbsp;The $3.52 million contribution from DK Crown Holdings on Aug. 15 is the largest political donation in Missouri this year. BetFair Interactive, owner of FanDuel, added $1.5 million on Thursday.The ads will run in every market in the state, Cardetti said.“We’re going to be making sure that Missourians in every corner of the state know how important it is that Missouri doesn’t have sports betting,” he said. “As we sit here today, seven of our eight neighboring states have legalized sports betting, and those dollars are making improvements in those states. Missourians are missing out.Changes to voting laws are pushing campaigns to spend money earlier, Hancock said. No-excuse absentee voting begins Oct. 22.“I no longer think it makes practical sense to buy the last two weeks only,” he said. “You’ve got to have at least three.”Ballot measure campaigns have two goals with their spending plans, Ratliff said. The first is to give an impression of invincibility with heavy rotations for their ads. The idea is to scare off&nbsp; opposition campaigns.Ballot measures are easier to defeat than to pass, Ratliff said.“If any of these groups have any opposition, it makes it a lot harder for them to be successful, especially something like the casino and sports betting stuff,” Ratliff said. “If they don’t have opposition, they have a much, much better chance of passing. Even the slimmest amount of opposition could really knock those back and keep them from passing.”The key for the ad campaigns, of course, is to get the message seen. And the success of the Kansas City Chiefs is making their game broadcasts some of the most costly any campaign can buy.Hawley spent $75,000 to run one 30-second spot on KSHB in Kansas City during the Chiefs’ opening game. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom spent $50,000 to reserve two ads during the Oct. 27 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on KMOV in St. Louis.And it cost Winning for Missouri Education $30,000 for two ads on KJFX in Joplin during the Oct. 20 game against the San Francisco 49ers, the team the Chiefs defeated in this year’s Super Bowl.Streaming services, cable channels and digital recording mean many viewers are choosing their own schedule for television viewing. But audiences still tune in to live sporting events, Ratliff said.“They’re gonna watch that live, so they’re worth a lot more,” he said. “Those ads are crazy expensive, and you’re going to see those ads are more valuable because you’re gonna have eyes on it.”

Missouri initiative campaigns launch TV spending after surviving court challenges

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves took time out during
the Sound of Speed Air Show Sunday to discuss passage of the FAA
Reauthorization Act with pilots, St. Joseph city officials, as well as officers
with the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Group.

Graves, chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee, says the House version of the legislation prevailed for the most
part.

“Eighty-five percent of the bill is the House bill, which I
wrote,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I’m very proud of that and it’s a
very technical bill and I think that’s as a result of my understanding of
aviation and just being a user of the system, which makes a big difference. And
it made a big difference, too, in dealing with the Senate and just knowing more
about those aviation policies than many of my Senate colleagues.”

Graves, a Republican, says the bill focuses on some fundamental
issues of aviation; fundamental, yet too often neglected by Congress when
writing the regulations that guide the aviation industry. Graves says the new
legislation places a big emphasis on General Aviation.

“Because it’s the foundation and where most people get their
start when it comes to aviation,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They get
their start through, things like this, the Air Show where they show an interest
in aviation, whether that’s being a mechanic or maybe an air traffic controller
or being a technician or a pilot themselves and they get started in general aviation
and then move the way through ultimately to, if some go on to be commercial pilots
or airline pilots.”

Other aspects of the industry have been neglected for too long,
according to Graves.

“Workforce being one of those,” Graves says. “We have to make
sure that we maintain a very healthy workforce within the aviation community
and, again, that’s anything from mechanics to controllers to pilots, whatever
the case may be.”

Graves says the bill will also maintain the standard of safety
the United States is known for.

Graves, who is a pilot, participated in the Sound of Speed Air
Show.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726420143966.jpeg" alt="Congressman Sam Graves/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Sam Graves/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves took time out during
the Sound of Speed Air Show Sunday to discuss passage of the FAA
Reauthorization Act with pilots, St. Joseph city officials, as well as officers
with the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Group.Graves, chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee, says the House version of the legislation prevailed for the most
part.“Eighty-five percent of the bill is the House bill, which I
wrote,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I’m very proud of that and it’s a
very technical bill and I think that’s as a result of my understanding of
aviation and just being a user of the system, which makes a big difference. And
it made a big difference, too, in dealing with the Senate and just knowing more
about those aviation policies than many of my Senate colleagues.”Graves, a Republican, says the bill focuses on some fundamental
issues of aviation; fundamental, yet too often neglected by Congress when
writing the regulations that guide the aviation industry. Graves says the new
legislation places a big emphasis on General Aviation.“Because it’s the foundation and where most people get their
start when it comes to aviation,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They get
their start through, things like this, the Air Show where they show an interest
in aviation, whether that’s being a mechanic or maybe an air traffic controller
or being a technician or a pilot themselves and they get started in general aviation
and then move the way through ultimately to, if some go on to be commercial pilots
or airline pilots.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726420189327.jpeg" alt="Congressman Sam Graves discussing the FAA Reauthorization Act during the Sound of Speed Air Show at Rosecrans Memorial Airport/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Sam Graves discussing the FAA Reauthorization Act during the Sound of Speed Air Show at Rosecrans Memorial Airport/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Other aspects of the industry have been neglected for too long,
according to Graves.“Workforce being one of those,” Graves says. “We have to make
sure that we maintain a very healthy workforce within the aviation community
and, again, that’s anything from mechanics to controllers to pilots, whatever
the case may be.”Graves says the bill will also maintain the standard of safety
the United States is known for.Graves, who is a pilot, participated in the Sound of Speed Air
Show.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Congressman Graves outlines FAA bill during Sound of Speed Air Show

GRUNDY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Saturday in Grundy County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Harley Davidson Road King driven by Ronald D. Frazier, 60, Chillicothe, was northbound on U.S. 65 four miles south of Trenton.

The motorcycle traveled off the east side of the road, overturned and both the driver and a passenger identified as Rose M. Frazier, 55, Chillicothe were ejected.

Grundy County EMS transported Ronald Frazier to the Chillicothe Airport and Life Flight Eagle transported him to North Kansas City Hospital. Livingston County EMS transported Rose Frazier to Hedrick Medical Center. They were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.a

GRUNDY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Saturday in Grundy County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Harley Davidson Road King driven by Ronald D. Frazier, 60, Chillicothe, was northbound on U.S. 65 four miles south of Trenton.The motorcycle traveled off the east side of the road, overturned and both the driver and a passenger identified as Rose M. Frazier, 55, Chillicothe were ejected.Grundy County EMS transported Ronald Frazier to the Chillicothe Airport and Life Flight Eagle transported him to North Kansas City Hospital. Livingston County EMS transported Rose Frazier to Hedrick Medical Center. They were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.a

NW Missouri couple injured in motorcycle crash

ANDREW COUNTY —Three people were injured and one arrested after an accident that occurred just after 11p.m. Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Polaris RZR driven by Austin E. Cook, 30, Savannah, was doing donuts in a private parking lot South of Route D eight miles north of Savannah.

The vehicle overturned and two passengers were partially ejected. The vehicle came to rest on top of the two passengers.

Andrew County EMS transported the passengers Kayla M. Whitmer, 28, St. Joseph and Courtney L. Barron, 34, Savannah, to Mosaic Life Care.

A law enforcement vehicle transported Cook to Mosaic after his arrest on requested felony charges of DWI involving serious physical injury.&nbsp;

ANDREW COUNTY —Three people were injured and one arrested after an accident that occurred just after 11p.m. Friday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Polaris RZR driven by Austin E. Cook, 30, Savannah, was doing donuts in a private parking lot South of Route D eight miles north of Savannah.The vehicle overturned and two passengers were partially ejected. The vehicle came to rest on top of the two passengers.Andrew County EMS transported the passengers Kayla M. Whitmer, 28, St. Joseph and Courtney L. Barron, 34, Savannah, to Mosaic Life Care.A law enforcement vehicle transported Cook to Mosaic after his arrest on requested felony charges of DWI involving serious physical injury.&nbsp;

3 injured and Andrew Co. man accused of DWI after UTV overturns

CALDWELL COUNTY —A Missouri man critically injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Tuesday in Caldwell County has died.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Ford F350 driven by Jerry L. Webb, 78, Kearney, was eastbound on Route H two miles west of Kingston.

The truck traveled off the south side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle returned to the road, traveled off the north side of the road, rotated sideways, struck a stump, overturned the the driver was ejected.

Life Flight Eagle transported Webb to Truman West Medical Center. Just after 9a.m. on Thursday Webb died. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —A Missouri man critically injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Tuesday in Caldwell County has died.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Ford F350 driven by Jerry L. Webb, 78, Kearney, was eastbound on Route H two miles west of Kingston.The truck traveled off the south side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle returned to the road, traveled off the north side of the road, rotated sideways, struck a stump, overturned the the driver was ejected.Life Flight Eagle transported Webb to Truman West Medical Center. Just after 9a.m. on Thursday Webb died. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man air-lifted to hospital after pickup crash has died

Week 3 of high school football in Missouri is here and Week 2 in Kansas is now in the books! Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!

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

 St. Pius X 59 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Cameron 8 (0-3)

Maryville 42 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Chillicothe 0 (1-2)&nbsp;

-Week 4: Maryville @ St. Pius X- Fri. @7pm

Lafayette 22 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Benton 0 (1-2)&nbsp;

-Week 4: Benton @ University Academy Charter- Sat. @1pm

&nbsp;Kirksville 7 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Savannah 6 (1-2)

Bishop Leblond 52 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Knox County 28 (0-3)

-Week 4: Bishop Leblond @ Plattsburg- Fri. @7pm

East Buchanan 18 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lawson 12 (0-3)

-Week 4: East Buchanan vs North Platte- Fri @7pm

&nbsp;North Platte 26 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lathrop 20 (1-2)

&nbsp;Mid-Buchanan 41 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Centralia (Kan.) 6 (1-1)

-Week 4: Mid-Buchanan vs West Platte- Fri @7pm

West Platte 23 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Hamilton 22 (1-2) -OT

&nbsp;Plattsburg 46 (2-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Schuyler County 42 (1-2)

-Week 4: Plattsburg vs Bishop Leblond- Fri @7pm

Putnam County 43 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Trenton 28 (0-3)&nbsp;

South Harrison38 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Marceline 37 (2-1)- OT

-Week 4: South Harrison vs Scotland County- Fri @7pm

Milan 27 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Maysville 0 (0-3)&nbsp;

-Week 4: Maysville @ Putnam County- Fri @7pm

Gallatin 34 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Polo 12 (1-2)

King City 48 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stanberry 32 (1-2)

-Week 4: Stanberry @ Pattonsburg- Fri @7pm

Nodaway Valley 44 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; East Atchison 18 (1-2)

-Week 4: East Atchison @ Mound City- Fri @7pm

-Week 4: Nodaway Valley @ Platte Valley- Fri @7pm

Worth County 64 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; North Andrew 6 (1-2)&nbsp;

-Week 4: North Andrew vs St. Joseph Christian- Fri @7pm

-Week 4: Worth County vs Albany- Fri @7pm

South Holt 84 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Dekalb 34 (0-3)&nbsp;

-Week 4: South Holt vs Stewartsville-Osborn- Fri @7pm

 Platte Valley 52&nbsp; (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Mound City 6 (0-3)

Albany 42 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; St. Joseph Christian 20 (2-1)

Rock Port 70 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stewartsville-Osborn 0 (0-3)

-Week 4: Stewartsville-Osborn @ South Holt- Fri @7pm

Central 43 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Grandview 16 (0-3)&nbsp;

-Week 4: Central @ North Kansas City- Fri @7pm

Atchison 55 (1-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; JC Harmon 6 (1-1)

-Week 3: Atchison vs&nbsp;Kansas City-Sumner Academy

 Marysville 38 (2-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Hiawatha 0 (0-2)

McLouth 28 (2-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Troy 12 (1-1)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Riverside 20 (1-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Atchison Co. 0 (0-2)

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWeek 3 of high school football in Missouri is here and Week 2 in Kansas is now in the books! Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!MEC St. Pius X 59 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Cameron 8 (0-3)-Week 4: Cameron @ Chillicothe- Fri @7pmMaryville 42 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Chillicothe 0 (1-2)&nbsp;-Week 4: Maryville @ St. Pius X- Fri. @7pmLafayette 22 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Benton 0 (1-2)&nbsp;-Week 4: Benton @ University Academy Charter- Sat. @1pm-Week 4: Lafayette @ Savannah- Fri. @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Lafayette-Head-Coach-Nate-Daugherty-e2ocpds/a-abhck5c" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>&nbsp;Kirksville 7 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Savannah 6 (1-2)<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Savannah-Head-Coach-Anthony-Hays-e2ocpfg/a-abhck86" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Bishop Leblond 52 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Knox County 28 (0-3)-Week 4: Bishop Leblond @ Plattsburg- Fri. @7pmKCIEast Buchanan 18 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lawson 12 (0-3)-Week 4: East Buchanan vs North Platte- Fri @7pm-Week 4: Lawson @ Hamilton- Fri @7pm&nbsp;North Platte 26 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lathrop 20 (1-2)-Week 4: Lathrop @ Skyline- Fri @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/North-Platte-Head-Coach-Jared-Quigley-e2ocpc3/a-abhck2a" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>&nbsp;Mid-Buchanan 41 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Centralia (Kan.) 6 (1-1)-Week 4: Mid-Buchanan vs West Platte- Fri @7pmWest Platte 23 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Hamilton 22 (1-2) -OT<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/West-Platte-Head-Coach-Taylor-Gallagher-e2ocpau/a-abhck0k" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>&nbsp;Plattsburg 46 (2-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Schuyler County 42 (1-2)-Week 4: Plattsburg vs Bishop Leblond- Fri @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Plattsburg-Head-Coach-Brandon-Boswell-e2ocpgk" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>GRC 11-man (East Division)Putnam County 43 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Trenton 28 (0-3)&nbsp;-Week 4: Trenton @ Gallatin- Fri @7pmSouth Harrison38 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Marceline 37 (2-1)- OT-Week 4: South Harrison vs Scotland County- Fri @7pmMilan 27 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Maysville 0 (0-3)&nbsp;-Week 4: Maysville @ Putnam County- Fri @7pmGallatin 34 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Polo 12 (1-2)<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Gallatin-Head-Coach-Brock-Goodman-e2ocpg0/a-abhck8u" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>GRC 8-man (West Division)King City 48 (1-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stanberry 32 (1-2)-Week 4: King City @ Princeton- Fri @7pm-Week 4: Stanberry @ Pattonsburg- Fri @7pmNodaway Valley 44 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; East Atchison 18 (1-2)-Week 4: East Atchison @ Mound City- Fri @7pm-Week 4: Nodaway Valley @ Platte Valley- Fri @7pmWorth County 64 (2-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; North Andrew 6 (1-2)&nbsp;-Week 4: North Andrew vs St. Joseph Christian- Fri @7pm-Week 4: Worth County vs Albany- Fri @7pmSouth Holt 84 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Dekalb 34 (0-3)&nbsp;-Week 4: Dekalb @ Rock Port- Fri @7pm-Week 4: South Holt vs Stewartsville-Osborn- Fri @7pm Platte Valley 52&nbsp; (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Mound City 6 (0-3)<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Platte-Valley-Head-Coach-Johnnie-Silkett-e2ocpeu/a-abhck72" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Albany 42 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; St. Joseph Christian 20 (2-1)275 ConferenceRock Port 70 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stewartsville-Osborn 0 (0-3)-Week 4: Stewartsville-Osborn @ South Holt- Fri @7pmGreater KC SuburbanCentral 43 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Grandview 16 (0-3)&nbsp;-Week 4: Central @ North Kansas City- Fri @7pm<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Central-Head-Coach-Sheldon-Farrell-e2ocpa7/a-abhcjvg" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Northeast KansasAtchison 55 (1-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; JC Harmon 6 (1-1)-Week 3: Atchison vs&nbsp;Kansas City-Sumner Academy Marysville 38 (2-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Hiawatha 0 (0-2)-Week 3: Hiawatha vs SabethaMcLouth 28 (2-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Troy 12 (1-1)&nbsp;&nbsp;-Week 3: Troy vs Easton -Pleasant RidgeRiverside 20 (1-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Atchison Co. 0 (0-2)-Week 3: Riverside vs McLouth<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Riverside-Head-Coach-Bryce-Paden-e2ocp8r/a-abhcjtt" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Area High School Football Scoreboard Sept. 13th-14th

A truck driver from Texas died this morning in an
apparent accident at Triumph Foods.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports it received a call
shortly before seven o’clock Friday morning about an accident within the fenced
area of Triumph. Police say 39-year-old Aaron Ruelas of Santa Maria, Texas died
when a utility truck at the plant, attempting to hitch to a trailer, struck and
killed him.

The truck driver says he didn’t see Ruelas behind him when he put
the truck in reverse to connect with the trailer hitch. Ruelas worked for a
trucking company from East Prairie, Missouri.

Police report the driver is cooperating in the investigation
and it appears to be accidental, though the investigation continues.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA truck driver from Texas died this morning in an
apparent accident at Triumph Foods.The St. Joseph Police Department reports it received a call
shortly before seven o’clock Friday morning about an accident within the fenced
area of Triumph. Police say 39-year-old Aaron Ruelas of Santa Maria, Texas died
when a utility truck at the plant, attempting to hitch to a trailer, struck and
killed him.The truck driver says he didn’t see Ruelas behind him when he put
the truck in reverse to connect with the trailer hitch. Ruelas worked for a
trucking company from East Prairie, Missouri.Police report the driver is cooperating in the investigation
and it appears to be accidental, though the investigation continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Texas truck driver killed in apparent accident at Triumph Foods

The Sound of Speed Airshow is back at Rosecrans Memorial Airport this weekend.   

The popular airshow that draws crowds of residents and vendors to Rosecrans will feature a wide variety of entertainment, plane rides, and more this weekend.  

Michael Crane, Public Affairs Superintendent for the 139th Airlift Group, says the big attraction in this year’s air show will be the US Air Force Thunderbirds 

"They're the premiere team of the Air Force, they fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and let me tell you something, when those things fly overhead, not only are you going to hear it but you're going to feel it in your chest," Crane tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "They're really loud so definitely bring hearing protection." 

Another act will be Tora! Tora! Tora, a group that will perform a pearl harbor attack reenactment, a living history of what happened on that day.  

Major Jeffry Downie, callsign Simmer and pilot of Thunderbird six, says the performance the Thunderbirds put on is more than just a show 

"You're feeling the performance, the sound of the jets you can like feel it, there's a sense of moral danger during some of the sneak passes if you're not prepared for that," Downie explains. "But it really is a whole-body experience coming out to the shows themselves." 

The show will consist of six jets, four will show off the grace of flying and the precision of the F-16 jet. The other two, one of those pilots being Downie himself, will then display the capabilities of the jet. 

"And then at the very end we bring all that together with all six jets and we do a bunch of formation flying in the delta, and you get to see with the smoke on, it's graceful, it's patriotic, and it's pretty emotional," Downie says. 

Crane says there will also be some other new fun activities, including a STEM display. 

"So, the Kansas City STEM alliance is going to be there with a robotics display, it's going to be very interactive, so definitely check that out," Crane says. "The Air Force will also have a virtual reality headset there so guests will be able to see what it's like to do some air force missions from a plane." 

Residents will also get a look at some of the improvements made at Rosecrans, including the new tarmac and work being done on the air control tower.  

People who come to the airshow will be allowed to bring in protection from the sun, and also a sealed clear water bottle or empty water container with refill stations at the event.  

The airshow will run Saturday and Sunday, with gates opening at 8am on both days. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726246876681.jpeg" alt="US Air Force Thunderbirds flyi in formation/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>US Air Force Thunderbirds flyi in formation/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Sound of Speed Airshow is back at Rosecrans Memorial Airport this weekend. The popular airshow that draws crowds of residents and vendors to Rosecrans will feature a wide variety of entertainment, plane rides, and more this weekend. Michael Crane, Public Affairs Superintendent for the 139th Airlift Group, says the big attraction in this year’s air show will be the US Air Force Thunderbirds "They're the premiere team of the Air Force, they fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and let me tell you something, when those things fly overhead, not only are you going to hear it but you're going to feel it in your chest," Crane tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "They're really loud so definitely bring hearing protection." Another act will be Tora! Tora! Tora, a group that will perform a pearl harbor attack reenactment, a living history of what happened on that day. Major Jeffry Downie, callsign Simmer and pilot of Thunderbird six, says the performance the Thunderbirds put on is more than just a show "You're feeling the performance, the sound of the jets you can like feel it, there's a sense of moral danger during some of the sneak passes if you're not prepared for that," Downie explains. "But it really is a whole-body experience coming out to the shows themselves." The show will consist of six jets, four will show off the grace of flying and the precision of the F-16 jet. The other two, one of those pilots being Downie himself, will then display the capabilities of the jet. "And then at the very end we bring all that together with all six jets and we do a bunch of formation flying in the delta, and you get to see with the smoke on, it's graceful, it's patriotic, and it's pretty emotional," Downie says. Crane says there will also be some other new fun activities, including a STEM display. "So, the Kansas City STEM alliance is going to be there with a robotics display, it's going to be very interactive, so definitely check that out," Crane says. "The Air Force will also have a virtual reality headset there so guests will be able to see what it's like to do some air force missions from a plane." Residents will also get a look at some of the improvements made at Rosecrans, including the new tarmac and work being done on the air control tower. People who come to the airshow will be allowed to bring in protection from the sun, and also a sealed clear water bottle or empty water container with refill stations at the event. The airshow will run Saturday and Sunday, with gates opening at 8am on both days. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726246963200.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/Thunderbirds-return-to-St--Joseph-e2oc3im" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Thunderbirds return to St. Joseph for Sound of Speed Airshow

Scams continue to plague area residents and Buchanan County
Sheriff Bill Puett doesn’t see it letting up anytime soon, if at all.

Puett says a disturbing trend he has seen is the number of
scam calls falsely pretending to be law enforcement officers or the courts,
threatening people with jail time if they don’t fork over money.

“And that’s why the scams where they use our name or the
courts or whatever becomes so scary, because they’ll call and they’ll say, ‘This
is Sgt. such and such, you have a warrant, you’ve got to call, you’ve got to do
this, you’ve got to do that’ and people are scared to death, because they’re threatening
them with their freedom and their liberty,” Puett tells host Barry Birr on the
KFEQ Hotline.

Puett experienced the trend first-hand when he received a call
from someone claiming to be him, threatening him with jail time if he didn’t
pay a fine.

“He goes, ‘We’ll put you in jail.” And I said, ‘Let me get
this straight.’ And then I said, ‘You’re going to put me in my own jail.’ Then he
had some really bad words for me and then hung up on me.”

Artificial Intelligence, AI, also threatens to make scam calls
even more deceptive with its realistic portrayal of images, even voices. But
the way to avoid getting ripped off remains the same.

Puett says though technology might make scams even more
deceptive, your approach should remain the same.

“Never give anybody your personal information over the phone
or anywhere unless you have instigated that call.” Puett advises. “If somebody
calls and says they’re with the sheriff’s office or they’re the IRS or they’re
with whatever say, ‘Hey, I’ve got your information, I’m busy,’ whatever.
Terminate the call and then check into it.”

Puett also says not to use the phone number someone gives you
over the phone. He advises to look up the phone number yourself and make the
call.

Puett says Midwesterners can be more susceptible to such
scams, because they tend to be polite and don’t want to offend anyone, even a
stranger on the phone. Puett says residents need to be firm, less polite, and
more skeptical when fielding a call from a stranger.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostScams continue to plague area residents and Buchanan County
Sheriff Bill Puett doesn’t see it letting up anytime soon, if at all.Puett says a disturbing trend he has seen is the number of
scam calls falsely pretending to be law enforcement officers or the courts,
threatening people with jail time if they don’t fork over money.“And that’s why the scams where they use our name or the
courts or whatever becomes so scary, because they’ll call and they’ll say, ‘This
is Sgt. such and such, you have a warrant, you’ve got to call, you’ve got to do
this, you’ve got to do that’ and people are scared to death, because they’re threatening
them with their freedom and their liberty,” Puett tells host Barry Birr on the
KFEQ Hotline.Puett experienced the trend first-hand when he received a call
from someone claiming to be him, threatening him with jail time if he didn’t
pay a fine.“He goes, ‘We’ll put you in jail.” And I said, ‘Let me get
this straight.’ And then I said, ‘You’re going to put me in my own jail.’ Then he
had some really bad words for me and then hung up on me.”Artificial Intelligence, AI, also threatens to make scam calls
even more deceptive with its realistic portrayal of images, even voices. But
the way to avoid getting ripped off remains the same.Puett says though technology might make scams even more
deceptive, your approach should remain the same.“Never give anybody your personal information over the phone
or anywhere unless you have instigated that call.” Puett advises. “If somebody
calls and says they’re with the sheriff’s office or they’re the IRS or they’re
with whatever say, ‘Hey, I’ve got your information, I’m busy,’ whatever.
Terminate the call and then check into it.”Puett also says not to use the phone number someone gives you
over the phone. He advises to look up the phone number yourself and make the
call.Puett says Midwesterners can be more susceptible to such
scams, because they tend to be polite and don’t want to offend anyone, even a
stranger on the phone. Puett says residents need to be firm, less polite, and
more skeptical when fielding a call from a stranger.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Sheriff Puett warns about the latest trend in scam calls

Week 3 of high school football in Missouri is here and high school football in Kansas enters week 2. Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!

Week 3: Cameron (0-2) vs St. Pius X (1-1) -7pm

Week 3: Maryville (1-1) vs Chillicothe (1-1) - 7pm

Week 3: Lafayette (1-1) vs Benton (1-1) - 7pm

Week 3: Savannah (1-1) @ Kirksville (2-0) -7pm

Week 3: Bishop Leblond (2-0) @ Knox County (0-2) -Sat. @1pm

Week 3: East Buchanan (1-1) @ Lawson (0-2)- @7pm

Week 3: Lathrop (1-1) @ North Platte (0-2)- 7pm

Week 3: Mid-Buchanan (2-0) vs Centralia (Kan.) (1-0)- 7pm

Week 3: Hamilton (1-1) vs West Platte (1-1)- 7pm

Week 3: Plattsburg (1-0) @ Schuyler County (1-1)-6pm

Trenton (0-2) vs Putnam County (0-2)- 7pm

South Harrison (2-0) @ Marceline (2-0)-7pm

East Atchison (1-1) vs Nodaway Valley (2-0) -7pm

North Andrew (1-1) @ Worth County (1-1)- 7pm

Mound City (0-2) @ Platte Valley (2-0)- 7pm

St. Joseph Christian (2-0) vs Albany (2-0) - 7pm

Stewartsville-Osborn (0-2)   vs Rock Port (2-0)  -7pm

Atchison (0-1) @ Kansas City-JC Harmon HS (1-0)

Riverside (0-1) @ Effingham-Atchison Co Community HS (0-1)

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWeek 3 of high school football in Missouri is here and high school football in Kansas enters week 2. Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!MECWeek 3: Cameron (0-2) vs St. Pius X (1-1) -7pmWeek 3: Maryville (1-1) vs Chillicothe (1-1) - 7pmWeek 3: Lafayette (1-1) vs Benton (1-1) - 7pmWeek 3: Savannah (1-1) @ Kirksville (2-0) -7pmWeek 3: Bishop Leblond (2-0) @ Knox County (0-2) -Sat. @1pmKCIWeek 3: East Buchanan (1-1) @ Lawson (0-2)- @7pmWeek 3: Lathrop (1-1) @ North Platte (0-2)- 7pmWeek 3: Mid-Buchanan (2-0) vs Centralia (Kan.) (1-0)- 7pmWeek 3: Hamilton (1-1) vs West Platte (1-1)- 7pmWeek 3: Plattsburg (1-0) @ Schuyler County (1-1)-6pmGRC 11-man (East Division)Trenton (0-2) vs Putnam County (0-2)- 7pmSouth Harrison (2-0) @ Marceline (2-0)-7pmMaysville (0-2) vs Milan (1-1)- 7pmGallatin (1-1) @ Polo (1-1)- 7pmGRC 8-man (West Division)King City (0-2) @ Stanberry (1-1)- 7pmEast Atchison (1-1) vs Nodaway Valley (2-0) -7pmNorth Andrew (1-1) @ Worth County (1-1)- 7pmDekalb (0-2) @ South Holt (2-0)- 7pmMound City (0-2) @ Platte Valley (2-0)- 7pmSt. Joseph Christian (2-0) vs Albany (2-0) - 7pm275 ConferenceStewartsville-Osborn (0-2) vs Rock Port (2-0) -7pmGreater KC SuburbanCentral (2-0) vs Grandview (0-2) - 7pmNortheast KansasAtchison (0-1) @ Kansas City-JC Harmon HS (1-0)Hiawatha (0-1) @ Marysville HS (1-0)Troy (1-0) @ McLouth HS (1-0)Riverside (0-1) @ Effingham-Atchison Co Community HS (0-1)

Area High School Football Schedule Sept. 13th-14th

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> State's Newsroom

WASHINGTON — Public health officials are still trying to determine how a Missouri resident contracted bird flu without having any contact with infected animals, but said Thursday there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission taking place in small enclaves or in a more widespread manner.

The Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, this year amid ongoing outbreaks among poultry and dairy cattle, though it marks the first time someone without contact to those animals was diagnosed with the virus.

Nirav Shah, principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on a call with reporters the “evidence points to this being a one-off case, and those do happen with novel influenza.”

“Thus far, we have not seen any evidence of unusual levels of influenza activity in the area where this individual resides,” Shah said during the hour-long briefing. “There have been no increases in the volume of visits to emergency departments for influenza and no increase in laboratory detections of influenza cases in Missouri more broadly.”

The state’s public health laboratory, he said, is subtyping all positive cases of Influenza A, following the CDC recommending ongoing detailed surveillance this spring.

The practice is how doctors and public health officials confirmed this case and would likely be how they diagnose any uptick in cases in the future in the “overwhelming” number states that are taking the extra step of subtyping, he said.

There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm" target="_blank">several types</a>&nbsp;of influenza virus that are classified by the letters A, B, C and D. The viruses within the influenza A category are further categorized or subtyped based on the proteins hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). There are at least 130 combinations of subtypes within Influenza A, according to the CDC.

“So here’s the bottom line, our influenza surveillance system is designed to find needles in haystacks,” Shah said. “And as this case and others show, it is working. And here, in this case, we found such a needle, but we don’t know how it got there.”

The Missouri patient, who has significant underlying medical conditions, was admitted to a hospital on Aug. 22 after presenting to health care providers with “acute symptoms of chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness,” according to the CDC. The patient is not being identified out of privacy concerns.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/0ca9d648-cb9b-4eca-99a8-f9a1c96a01bd/human-h5-bird-flu-case-confirmed-in-missouri" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the diagnosis on Sept. 4, as did the CDC in a separate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0906-birdflu-case-missouri.html" target="_blank">statement</a>.

Missouri DHSS noted the patient had recovered and been sent home from the hospital, while the CDC pointed out that the state has reported cases of H5N1 in commercial and backyard poultry flocks this year.

The patient hadn’t been in contact with any livestock or poultry and didn’t indicate in a detailed questionnaire that they had consumed any food products, like raw milk, that could have potentially transmitted the virus.

Shah said on the call that public health officials are technically classifying this as a case of H5 and not H5N1 as they work to sequence the virus more fully, though that might not be possible.

The CDC has begun classifying the virus’ genetic sequence, but since the patient’s viral RNA levels were “extremely low” the agency may not be “able to generate a full flu genome, including the neuraminidase or the N part of the virus,” he said.

“We’re throwing everything we’ve got at this, but ultimately a full sequence may not be technically feasible because of the low concentration of viral RNA,” Shah said. “The data that we do have and that have been generated thus far show an H5 virus that is closely related to the (H5N1) virus circulating among dairy cows.”

The CDC, he said, is “continuing to look for evidence of genetic changes that would suggest, for example, an increased potential for spread.” None have yet been found.

Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC, said the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low.

“We assess risk continuously with every case and with every sort of change, and we continue to look at it as low,” Daskalakis said. “If there are changes, we would reassess that risk in real time.”

While the CDC investigation is ongoing, Shah said the further out from the case public health officials get without seeing any new diagnosis, the less likely they become.

“We are beyond the typical 10-day window for transmission,” Shah said. “And so with each passing day, the likelihood of this being something that’s happening deep underwater goes down.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726222969059.png" alt=" A Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, this year amid ongoing outbreaks among poultry and dairy cattle. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University tests samples from animals for viruses such as avian influenza (Photo courtesy of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)." />
 <figcaption> A Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, this year amid ongoing outbreaks among poultry and dairy cattle. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University tests samples from animals for viruses such as avian influenza (Photo courtesy of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> State's NewsroomWASHINGTON — Public health officials are still trying to determine how a Missouri resident contracted bird flu without having any contact with infected animals, but said Thursday there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission taking place in small enclaves or in a more widespread manner.The Missouri case marked the 14th person to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, this year amid ongoing outbreaks among poultry and dairy cattle, though it marks the first time someone without contact to those animals was diagnosed with the virus.Nirav Shah, principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on a call with reporters the “evidence points to this being a one-off case, and those do happen with novel influenza.”“Thus far, we have not seen any evidence of unusual levels of influenza activity in the area where this individual resides,” Shah said during the hour-long briefing. “There have been no increases in the volume of visits to emergency departments for influenza and no increase in laboratory detections of influenza cases in Missouri more broadly.”The state’s public health laboratory, he said, is subtyping all positive cases of Influenza A, following the CDC recommending ongoing detailed surveillance this spring.The practice is how doctors and public health officials confirmed this case and would likely be how they diagnose any uptick in cases in the future in the “overwhelming” number states that are taking the extra step of subtyping, he said.There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm" target="_blank">several types</a>&nbsp;of influenza virus that are classified by the letters A, B, C and D. The viruses within the influenza A category are further categorized or subtyped based on the proteins hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). There are at least 130 combinations of subtypes within Influenza A, according to the CDC.“So here’s the bottom line, our influenza surveillance system is designed to find needles in haystacks,” Shah said. “And as this case and others show, it is working. And here, in this case, we found such a needle, but we don’t know how it got there.”The Missouri patient, who has significant underlying medical conditions, was admitted to a hospital on Aug. 22 after presenting to health care providers with “acute symptoms of chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness,” according to the CDC. The patient is not being identified out of privacy concerns.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/0ca9d648-cb9b-4eca-99a8-f9a1c96a01bd/human-h5-bird-flu-case-confirmed-in-missouri" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the diagnosis on Sept. 4, as did the CDC in a separate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0906-birdflu-case-missouri.html" target="_blank">statement</a>.Missouri DHSS noted the patient had recovered and been sent home from the hospital, while the CDC pointed out that the state has reported cases of H5N1 in commercial and backyard poultry flocks this year.The patient hadn’t been in contact with any livestock or poultry and didn’t indicate in a detailed questionnaire that they had consumed any food products, like raw milk, that could have potentially transmitted the virus.Shah said on the call that public health officials are technically classifying this as a case of H5 and not H5N1 as they work to sequence the virus more fully, though that might not be possible.The CDC has begun classifying the virus’ genetic sequence, but since the patient’s viral RNA levels were “extremely low” the agency may not be “able to generate a full flu genome, including the neuraminidase or the N part of the virus,” he said.“We’re throwing everything we’ve got at this, but ultimately a full sequence may not be technically feasible because of the low concentration of viral RNA,” Shah said. “The data that we do have and that have been generated thus far show an H5 virus that is closely related to the (H5N1) virus circulating among dairy cows.”The CDC, he said, is “continuing to look for evidence of genetic changes that would suggest, for example, an increased potential for spread.” None have yet been found.Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC, said the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low.“We assess risk continuously with every case and with every sort of change, and we continue to look at it as low,” Daskalakis said. “If there are changes, we would reassess that risk in real time.”While the CDC investigation is ongoing, Shah said the further out from the case public health officials get without seeing any new diagnosis, the less likely they become.“We are beyond the typical 10-day window for transmission,” Shah said. “And so with each passing day, the likelihood of this being something that’s happening deep underwater goes down.”

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