St. Joseph police are attempting to crack down on
racing in the streets as well as large gatherings in parking lots in which
drivers peel rubber and do burn outs.

St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster says the
department has fielded a number of calls on the issue of late.

“Really, from a public safety standpoint, the
racing on the streets, even the burnouts in the parking lot, they all just pose
a really significant risk to public safety,” Luster tells host Barry Birr on
the KFEQ Hotline. “High speeds, reckless driving, that can all lead to serious
accidents resulting in injuries, even fatalities for participants or even
innocent bystanders alike.”

A recent saturation effort conducted by the St.
Joseph Police Department, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, and the
Missouri State Highway Patrol resulted in four arrests and 22 tickets issued.

Luster says his officers are determined to crack
down on the practice.

“Just the community concern is really what
prompted us and we don’t want to see these things happening in St. Joseph or
growing,” Luster says. “These activities, they just disrupt our community I
believe. You have the noise pollution, the property damage, the unsafe
conditions they cause for everyone; our residents, families, children and that
increased danger.” 

They might be portrayed as innocent fun, but Luster
says such activities can lead to dangerous situations.

“It can get out of hand. It can grow really
quickly. There can be disturbances. And what worries me, we’ve talked about it
before, what 30 years ago was settled with some pushing and shoving and maybe a
fist being thrown, is now solved with knives and guns.”

Luster says St. Joseph police want to intervene
prior to things getting out of control.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are attempting to crack down on
racing in the streets as well as large gatherings in parking lots in which
drivers peel rubber and do burn outs.St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster says the
department has fielded a number of calls on the issue of late.“Really, from a public safety standpoint, the
racing on the streets, even the burnouts in the parking lot, they all just pose
a really significant risk to public safety,” Luster tells host Barry Birr on
the KFEQ Hotline. “High speeds, reckless driving, that can all lead to serious
accidents resulting in injuries, even fatalities for participants or even
innocent bystanders alike.”A recent saturation effort conducted by the St.
Joseph Police Department, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, and the
Missouri State Highway Patrol resulted in four arrests and 22 tickets issued.Luster says his officers are determined to crack
down on the practice.“Just the community concern is really what
prompted us and we don’t want to see these things happening in St. Joseph or
growing,” Luster says. “These activities, they just disrupt our community I
believe. You have the noise pollution, the property damage, the unsafe
conditions they cause for everyone; our residents, families, children and that
increased danger.” They might be portrayed as innocent fun, but Luster
says such activities can lead to dangerous situations.“It can get out of hand. It can grow really
quickly. There can be disturbances. And what worries me, we’ve talked about it
before, what 30 years ago was settled with some pushing and shoving and maybe a
fist being thrown, is now solved with knives and guns.”Luster says St. Joseph police want to intervene
prior to things getting out of control.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph police move to crack down on racing in the street

St. Joseph police are investigating a reported arm robbery.

The St. Joseph Police Department says a resident in the 4500 block of Wilshire Drive reported two individuals approached him as he arrived
at his home, threatening him with a gun. The resident reported the two took
money and personal items from him.

The resident was unharmed. Police believe it was an isolated
incident.

The armed robbery occurred over the weekend.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the St.
Joseph Detective Division at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=781">Tip Form (p3tips.com)</a> or
(816)-271-5336.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating a reported arm robbery.The St. Joseph Police Department says a resident in the 4500 block of Wilshire Drive reported two individuals approached him as he arrived
at his home, threatening him with a gun. The resident reported the two took
money and personal items from him.The resident was unharmed. Police believe it was an isolated
incident.The armed robbery occurred over the weekend.Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the St.
Joseph Detective Division at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=781">Tip Form (p3tips.com)</a> or
(816)-271-5336.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Armed robbery reported in St. Joseph

The auditor will no longer need consent from governing boards or a petition drive to launch an audit when an investigation shows improper activity by officials

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

On July 23, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released an audit detailing how a former mayor of Excelsior Estates improperly&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024050" target="_blank">paid himself more than $37,000</a>&nbsp;and funneled more than $200,000 to a business he owned.

During the course of their work, auditors found that the records for the village of 209 people on the border of Ray and Clay counties were in “total disarray with missing financial records (and) other vital city records stored in a makeshift camper trailer made from the bed of a pickup truck…”

The audit was conducted at the invitation of the village Board of Aldermen after an investigation of a whistleblower complaint showed possible wrongdoing. Without the board’s consent, the auditor wouldn’t have had the authority to conduct the probe.

But not every local governing body is so cooperative. And as of Wednesday, when a new law took effect, Fitzpatrick’s office will have the&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2111&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R" target="_blank">power to initiate audits</a>&nbsp;of local agencies when an initial investigation shows “improper government activity” — including fraud, waste of resources or violations of law — or when a county prosecutor or law enforcement agency requests it.

Missouri lawmakers gave the auditor’s office power to&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=29.221&amp;bid=636&amp;hl=" target="_blank">investigate reports of improper actions</a>&nbsp;by local government officials in 2013 but withheld the authority to force those officials to open their accounts for a full-scale audit. The only way for the auditor to follow up on the investigation was to convince the governing body of the political subdivision to request an audit, like in Excelsior Estates, or for a resident to gather&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/petition-audits" target="_blank">enough signatures on a petition</a>&nbsp;to force an audit.

The new law eliminates those restrictions.&nbsp;

“This is not designed to give us unfettered access to auditing any political subdivision for any reason,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was to make things easier for taxpayers. If they’ve made a credible whistleblower complaint to us that there’s a problem somewhere that we investigate, that we could then initiate the audit instead of forcing somebody to have to go gather a bunch of signatures.”

The bill, passed unanimously in the second year it was introduced, originated with&nbsp;<a href="https://fox2now.com/news/you-paid-for-it/state-to-audit-francis-howell-school-district-on-its-spending/" target="_blank">concerns about cost overruns</a>&nbsp;at the new Francis Howell School District high school in St. Charles County, said the sponsor, Republican state Rep. Phil Christofanelli of St. Peters.

A school district was the only local government entity that the state auditor had discretion to audit, he said. The auditor’s office is legally obligated to audit every county without a county auditor.

If the cost overruns had been at a municipal construction project, Christofanelli said, only the willingness of the governing board or the determination of citizens to complete a petition drive could bring the auditor in.

For a small community like Excelsior Estates, the petition would have to include signatures from 25% of the city’s registered voters. For a city the size of St. Peters, the requirement would be 10% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent election, with a minimum of 750 signatures.

“The idea of doing something like this in a city like St Peters, for instance, is completely impractical, and you’d have to have a remarkable campaign put together to do it properly,” Christofanelli said.

During work on the bill, he said, he was told that up to 90% of petition audit attempts are unsuccessful.

The state auditor’s office will be taking on the new powers at a time when Fitzpatrick is trying to rebuild his staff, which had shrunk to 89 full-time employees – out of 167 authorized in the budget – when he took office.&nbsp;

Fitzpatrick was elected auditor in 2022 after four years as state treasurer and six years in the Missouri House, where he was chairman of the House Budget Committee.&nbsp;

In recent years, the audit output of the office, especially detailed audits of state agencies and programs, has declined significantly.&nbsp;

During the first eight months of 2004, the office issued 27 audits and reviews of state agencies and programs ranging from elected official offices to tax credit programs and agency operations in determining Medicaid eligibility and the acquisition of highway right-of-way. In the same period of 2014, the number of state agency audits and reviews was 10.

This year, through Wednesday, the total was three – the operations of the attorney general and secretary of state’s offices and how the Missouri State Highway Patrol uses highway fund money.

The two factors limiting the number of individual agency and program audits are time devoted to the annual audits of the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/CitzSummary?id=997" target="_blank">state financial report</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2023030" target="_blank">federal funding awards</a>. Work that once took 18,000 to 20,000 staff hours in a year is now approaching 50,000, Fitzpatrick said.

That workload, combined with the staffing shortages, has reduced the number of individual agency and program audits. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/AuditsInProgress" target="_blank">10 agency or program audits</a>&nbsp;in process, including the Department of Conservation, pandemic food programs and the cannabis programs within the Department of Health and Senior Services.

“It’s a huge report,” Fitzpatrick said of the cannabis program audit. “It’s going to be, in terms of the number of staff hours, what will probably be the largest performance audit that’s been done in the auditor’s office in recent history.”

The cannabis program audit should be released early next year, he said.

The routine work of the auditor’s office includes&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024012" target="_blank">checking tens of thousands of local property tax rates</a>&nbsp;against the legal maximums, receiving and publishing reports of spending&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/CitzSummary?id=1005" target="_blank">by local taxing agencies</a>&nbsp;and auditing counties that do not have an elected auditor.&nbsp;

To help rebuild staff, lawmakers have added $4.2 million to the auditor’s budget over the past two years, increasing it to $13.5 million. That increase, he said, recognizes that the pay raises given by his predecessor, Democrat Nicole Gallaway, to retain staff is the salary level needed to attract new talent as well.

“They were adjusting the salaries to try to be more competitive, which needed to happen,” he said.

The new authority should not interfere with the statutory responsibilities of the office, Christofanelli said.

“Just because we give the auditor the power to initiate new investigations does not necessarily mean that if there are other matters that are not discretionary, that he would have to pursue those audits,” he said. “It just provides him the authority to do it, should the need arise.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716233650939.png" alt="-&nbsp;&nbsp;Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick will have new powers to initiateaudits of local governments under a law taking effect Wednesday (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>-&nbsp;&nbsp;Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick will have new powers to initiateaudits of local governments under a law taking effect Wednesday (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The auditor will no longer need consent from governing boards or a petition drive to launch an audit when an investigation shows improper activity by officials</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>On July 23, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released an audit detailing how a former mayor of Excelsior Estates improperly&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024050" target="_blank">paid himself more than $37,000</a>&nbsp;and funneled more than $200,000 to a business he owned.During the course of their work, auditors found that the records for the village of 209 people on the border of Ray and Clay counties were in “total disarray with missing financial records (and) other vital city records stored in a makeshift camper trailer made from the bed of a pickup truck…”The audit was conducted at the invitation of the village Board of Aldermen after an investigation of a whistleblower complaint showed possible wrongdoing. Without the board’s consent, the auditor wouldn’t have had the authority to conduct the probe.But not every local governing body is so cooperative. And as of Wednesday, when a new law took effect, Fitzpatrick’s office will have the&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2111&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R" target="_blank">power to initiate audits</a>&nbsp;of local agencies when an initial investigation shows “improper government activity” — including fraud, waste of resources or violations of law — or when a county prosecutor or law enforcement agency requests it.Missouri lawmakers gave the auditor’s office power to&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=29.221&amp;bid=636&amp;hl=" target="_blank">investigate reports of improper actions</a>&nbsp;by local government officials in 2013 but withheld the authority to force those officials to open their accounts for a full-scale audit. The only way for the auditor to follow up on the investigation was to convince the governing body of the political subdivision to request an audit, like in Excelsior Estates, or for a resident to gather&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/petition-audits" target="_blank">enough signatures on a petition</a>&nbsp;to force an audit.The new law eliminates those restrictions.&nbsp;“This is not designed to give us unfettered access to auditing any political subdivision for any reason,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was to make things easier for taxpayers. If they’ve made a credible whistleblower complaint to us that there’s a problem somewhere that we investigate, that we could then initiate the audit instead of forcing somebody to have to go gather a bunch of signatures.”The bill, passed unanimously in the second year it was introduced, originated with&nbsp;<a href="https://fox2now.com/news/you-paid-for-it/state-to-audit-francis-howell-school-district-on-its-spending/" target="_blank">concerns about cost overruns</a>&nbsp;at the new Francis Howell School District high school in St. Charles County, said the sponsor, Republican state Rep. Phil Christofanelli of St. Peters.A school district was the only local government entity that the state auditor had discretion to audit, he said. The auditor’s office is legally obligated to audit every county without a county auditor.If the cost overruns had been at a municipal construction project, Christofanelli said, only the willingness of the governing board or the determination of citizens to complete a petition drive could bring the auditor in.For a small community like Excelsior Estates, the petition would have to include signatures from 25% of the city’s registered voters. For a city the size of St. Peters, the requirement would be 10% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent election, with a minimum of 750 signatures.“The idea of doing something like this in a city like St Peters, for instance, is completely impractical, and you’d have to have a remarkable campaign put together to do it properly,” Christofanelli said.During work on the bill, he said, he was told that up to 90% of petition audit attempts are unsuccessful.The state auditor’s office will be taking on the new powers at a time when Fitzpatrick is trying to rebuild his staff, which had shrunk to 89 full-time employees – out of 167 authorized in the budget – when he took office.&nbsp;Fitzpatrick was elected auditor in 2022 after four years as state treasurer and six years in the Missouri House, where he was chairman of the House Budget Committee.&nbsp;In recent years, the audit output of the office, especially detailed audits of state agencies and programs, has declined significantly.&nbsp;During the first eight months of 2004, the office issued 27 audits and reviews of state agencies and programs ranging from elected official offices to tax credit programs and agency operations in determining Medicaid eligibility and the acquisition of highway right-of-way. In the same period of 2014, the number of state agency audits and reviews was 10.This year, through Wednesday, the total was three – the operations of the attorney general and secretary of state’s offices and how the Missouri State Highway Patrol uses highway fund money.The two factors limiting the number of individual agency and program audits are time devoted to the annual audits of the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/CitzSummary?id=997" target="_blank">state financial report</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2023030" target="_blank">federal funding awards</a>. Work that once took 18,000 to 20,000 staff hours in a year is now approaching 50,000, Fitzpatrick said.That workload, combined with the staffing shortages, has reduced the number of individual agency and program audits. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/AuditsInProgress" target="_blank">10 agency or program audits</a>&nbsp;in process, including the Department of Conservation, pandemic food programs and the cannabis programs within the Department of Health and Senior Services.“It’s a huge report,” Fitzpatrick said of the cannabis program audit. “It’s going to be, in terms of the number of staff hours, what will probably be the largest performance audit that’s been done in the auditor’s office in recent history.”The cannabis program audit should be released early next year, he said.The routine work of the auditor’s office includes&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/ViewReport?report=2024012" target="_blank">checking tens of thousands of local property tax rates</a>&nbsp;against the legal maximums, receiving and publishing reports of spending&nbsp;<a href="https://auditor.mo.gov/AuditReport/CitzSummary?id=1005" target="_blank">by local taxing agencies</a>&nbsp;and auditing counties that do not have an elected auditor.&nbsp;To help rebuild staff, lawmakers have added $4.2 million to the auditor’s budget over the past two years, increasing it to $13.5 million. That increase, he said, recognizes that the pay raises given by his predecessor, Democrat Nicole Gallaway, to retain staff is the salary level needed to attract new talent as well.“They were adjusting the salaries to try to be more competitive, which needed to happen,” he said.The new authority should not interfere with the statutory responsibilities of the office, Christofanelli said.“Just because we give the auditor the power to initiate new investigations does not necessarily mean that if there are other matters that are not discretionary, that he would have to pursue those audits,” he said. “It just provides him the authority to do it, should the need arise.”

New Missouri law expands state auditor’s powers to dig into local governments

Labor Day is almost upon us and the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding everyone to stay safe when traveling this weekend.

Sergeant Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph, says Labor Day is one of the four major holidays throughout the year where there is an increase in traffic. "We want people to make safety their number one priority," Hux says.

Hux adds, "Allow extra time to get to and from your destination, obey all traffic laws, and avoid distractions."

A 'Hands Free' law is in place in Missouri, and Hux simply says, "Keep the phone down when driving."

In addition to increased travel, a lot of people will also be enjoying Labor Day weekend on Missouri's lakes and rivers. Hux says boating safety should be taken seriously, emphasizing the importance of life jackets.

"Life jackets are not only important for children, but adults as well. Especially if you on the Missouri River. It's so unpredictable with the current and debris in the water. Always wear a life jacket anytime you are on or near the water."

The Labor Day counting period begins at 6:00 pm Friday, August 30 and lasts until midnight Monday, September 2.

AAA estimates a 9% increase in travel over the same time last year.

Hux advises calling *55 or 1-800-525-5555 in the event of a roadway emergency. It will put you in contact with the nearest Troop headquarters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594388258541.png" alt="MSHP" />
 <figcaption>MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostLabor Day is almost upon us and the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding everyone to stay safe when traveling this weekend.Sergeant Shane Hux, with Troop H in St. Joseph, says Labor Day is one of the four major holidays throughout the year where there is an increase in traffic. "We want people to make safety their number one priority," Hux says.Hux adds, "Allow extra time to get to and from your destination, obey all traffic laws, and avoid distractions."A 'Hands Free' law is in place in Missouri, and Hux simply says, "Keep the phone down when driving."In addition to increased travel, a lot of people will also be enjoying Labor Day weekend on Missouri's lakes and rivers. Hux says boating safety should be taken seriously, emphasizing the importance of life jackets."Life jackets are not only important for children, but adults as well. Especially if you on the Missouri River. It's so unpredictable with the current and debris in the water. Always wear a life jacket anytime you are on or near the water."The Labor Day counting period begins at 6:00 pm Friday, August 30 and lasts until midnight Monday, September 2.AAA estimates a 9% increase in travel over the same time last year.Hux advises calling *55 or 1-800-525-5555 in the event of a roadway emergency. It will put you in contact with the nearest Troop headquarters.

Travel safety tips to keep in mind for Labor Day weekend

ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas woman injured in a fatal crash during a police chase on Sunday has been moved from the hospital to jail and faces multiple requested charges.

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

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

EMS transported a passenger identified as 1-year-old Mixalis&nbsp;Papalas-Schulpz of Atchison to Children's Mercy for treatment of critical injuries. He died on Tuesday, according to the KHP.

&nbsp;EMS transported Papalas to Stormont Vail for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP and is in custody on requested charges that include&nbsp;&nbsp;Murder in the 1st degree; In the comm of a felony; Fleeing or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer; - Aggravated endangering a child;&nbsp; Interference with LEO; obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution; Battery on LEO; phys contact federal LEO; - Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor;&nbsp; Possession of marijuana and&nbsp; Reckless driving. She is being held on a $500,000 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724863412706.png" alt="Papalas photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Papalas photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas woman injured in a fatal crash during a police chase on Sunday has been moved from the hospital to jail and faces multiple requested charges.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Maria&nbsp; Papalas, 28, Atchison, was southbound on Sherman Road at&nbsp; 244th Road five miles south of Atchison at a high rate of speed.The driver was attempting to elude law enforcement. Due to the speed, Papalas lost control on a curve. The car entered the west ditch and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.EMS transported a passenger identified as 1-year-old Mixalis&nbsp;Papalas-Schulpz of Atchison to Children's Mercy for treatment of critical injuries. He died on Tuesday, according to the KHP.&nbsp;EMS transported Papalas to Stormont Vail for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP and is in custody on requested charges that include&nbsp;&nbsp;Murder in the 1st degree; In the comm of a felony; Fleeing or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer; - Aggravated endangering a child;&nbsp; Interference with LEO; obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution; Battery on LEO; phys contact federal LEO; - Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor;&nbsp; Possession of marijuana and&nbsp; Reckless driving. She is being held on a $500,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Driver in crash fleeing police that killed 1-year-old faces murder charge

Missouri Attorney General's office

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Wednesday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that the United States Supreme Court upheld the court order he obtained at the Eighth Circuit blocking the Biden-Harris Administration’s latest illegal student loan cancellation scheme. Not one of the justices dissented.

“This is the second time the Supreme Court has sided with my office against one of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ unlawful student loan cancellation schemes,”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey.&nbsp;“This court order is a stark reminder&nbsp;to the Biden-Harris Administration that Congress did not grant them the authority to saddle working Americans with $500 billion in someone else’s Ivy League debt. This is a huge win for every American who still believes in paying their own way.”

The Eighth Circuit upheld the Eastern District of Missouri’s original preliminary injunction and took it even further, holding that “The Government is, for any borrower whose loans are governed in whole or in part by the terms of the Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, 88 Fed. Reg. 43820, enjoined from any further forgiveness of principal or interest, from not charging borrowers accrued interest, and from further implementing SAVE’s payment-threshold provisions. This injunction will remain in effect until further order of this court or the Supreme Court of the United States.”&nbsp;Today, the Supreme Court left it in place.&nbsp;

In 2023, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Attorney General Bailey’s first&nbsp;challenge to the Biden Administration’s unilateral and unlawful wealth transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt. In a 6-3 decision, the Court struck down Biden’s repayment plan as unconstitutional, citing the massive $430 billion-plus impact on the federal budget without express authority from Congress. The Court held that Missouri’s student loan servicing company, MOHELA, was an arm of Missouri’s state government, and therefore, granted the states standing to challenge the student loan plan.

Joining General Bailey in filing suit the second time around were the attorneys general of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

In the suit, the States asserted, “Just last year, the Supreme Court struck down an attempt by the President to force teachers, truckers, and farmers to pay for the student loan debt of other Americans—to the enormous tune of $430 billion. In striking down that attempt, the Court declared that the President cannot ‘unilaterally alter large sections of the American economy.’ Undeterred, the President is at it again, even bragging that ‘the Supreme Court blocked it. They blocked it. But that didn’t stop me.’”

The States noted,&nbsp;“Yet again, the President is unilaterally trying to impose an extraordinarily expensive and controversial policy that he could not get through Congress. This latest attempt to sidestep the Constitution is only the most recent instance in a long but troubling pattern of the President relying on innocuous language from decades-old statutes to impose drastic, costly policy changes on the American people without their consent.”

The Supreme Court’s order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=da4df09cee&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zfledXfo$">here.</a>

The Eighth Circuit’s original order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=7605c9fc9d&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zfl5VIzc$">here.</a>

The Eastern District of Missouri’s order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=e267cd52be&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zwgADoQU$">here.</a>

The original lawsuit can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=6218e34393&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zvs0ScmE$">here.</a>

Missouri Attorney General's officeJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Wednesday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that the United States Supreme Court upheld the court order he obtained at the Eighth Circuit blocking the Biden-Harris Administration’s latest illegal student loan cancellation scheme. Not one of the justices dissented.“This is the second time the Supreme Court has sided with my office against one of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ unlawful student loan cancellation schemes,”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey.&nbsp;“This court order is a stark reminder&nbsp;to the Biden-Harris Administration that Congress did not grant them the authority to saddle working Americans with $500 billion in someone else’s Ivy League debt. This is a huge win for every American who still believes in paying their own way.”The Eighth Circuit upheld the Eastern District of Missouri’s original preliminary injunction and took it even further, holding that “The Government is, for any borrower whose loans are governed in whole or in part by the terms of the Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, 88 Fed. Reg. 43820, enjoined from any further forgiveness of principal or interest, from not charging borrowers accrued interest, and from further implementing SAVE’s payment-threshold provisions. This injunction will remain in effect until further order of this court or the Supreme Court of the United States.”&nbsp;Today, the Supreme Court left it in place.&nbsp;In 2023, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Attorney General Bailey’s first&nbsp;challenge to the Biden Administration’s unilateral and unlawful wealth transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt. In a 6-3 decision, the Court struck down Biden’s repayment plan as unconstitutional, citing the massive $430 billion-plus impact on the federal budget without express authority from Congress. The Court held that Missouri’s student loan servicing company, MOHELA, was an arm of Missouri’s state government, and therefore, granted the states standing to challenge the student loan plan.Joining General Bailey in filing suit the second time around were the attorneys general of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma.In the suit, the States asserted, “Just last year, the Supreme Court struck down an attempt by the President to force teachers, truckers, and farmers to pay for the student loan debt of other Americans—to the enormous tune of $430 billion. In striking down that attempt, the Court declared that the President cannot ‘unilaterally alter large sections of the American economy.’ Undeterred, the President is at it again, even bragging that ‘the Supreme Court blocked it. They blocked it. But that didn’t stop me.’”The States noted,&nbsp;“Yet again, the President is unilaterally trying to impose an extraordinarily expensive and controversial policy that he could not get through Congress. This latest attempt to sidestep the Constitution is only the most recent instance in a long but troubling pattern of the President relying on innocuous language from decades-old statutes to impose drastic, costly policy changes on the American people without their consent.”The Supreme Court’s order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=da4df09cee&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zfledXfo$">here.</a>The Eighth Circuit’s original order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=7605c9fc9d&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zfl5VIzc$">here.</a>The Eastern District of Missouri’s order can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=e267cd52be&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zwgADoQU$">here.</a>The original lawsuit can be read&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=6218e34393&amp;e=5061322ab3__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Clp93Jrb7_OyQCbrZdlMgPoSTxoxC7mjMcz_EwiNtgQit7VefJ7GeqsPH2wMO9sABPggjF1Nd5NhKZ1zvs0ScmE$">here.</a>

Supreme Court upholds Mo. AG's court order blocking Biden-Harris student loan scheme

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

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

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

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

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

1-year-old Kan. boy injured in crash during chase has died

Improvement to downtown St. Joseph has been a continuous effort from the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.  

And one project being explored by the Chamber is bringing to life the Felix Street Market.  

President Natalie Hawn says markets like these are much more than just a food haul, but in order for it to succeed, it would have to be intentional in its programming. 

"It would have to be very linked in with the arts community and doing things like an international market the first Saturday of every month where people can come in and sell their wares,” Hawn tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  “But it needs to be things the community would like to see and that they would take part in.” 

 Hawn says locations like what are being proposed with this project help provide a central gathering location for people and businesses 

"Helping people be able to showcase products that maybe they wouldn’t get to do in other ways,” Hawn explains. “So, it’s very much an incubator for restaurants and retail.” 

Hawn says for example maybe someone makes really good Thai food but doesn't have the avenue to open their own restaurant. 

"This gives you an opportunity to try a concept in a smaller space with a lot of resources to help you kind of be successful like mentors,” Hawn says. 

Hawn says the goal behind the project would be having a few anchor tenants, but also space for pop ups, and also community programs in the space. 

Hawn says one common thing they hear from people at the Chamber is asking what kind of gathering places there are around downtown.  

And additionally, Hawn says when a new potential business comes to St. Joe, they want to see downtown, because often they want to see the local flavor  

"Yes, you have to have national retail, yes you have to have amenities, folks have expectations of a Target and different things that they want, but your flavor or your heart or your grit comes from your local businesses, and a lot of the times that’s downtown.” 

Hawn says the Chamber is currently exploring the Felix Street Market project downtown in order to help bring more population downtown as part of downtown improvement efforts.   

Hawn says currently they are seeking community input on the project and will put out a survey after the Labor Day weekend. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostImprovement to downtown St. Joseph has been a continuous effort from the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. And one project being explored by the Chamber is bringing to life the Felix Street Market. President Natalie Hawn says markets like these are much more than just a food haul, but in order for it to succeed, it would have to be intentional in its programming. "It would have to be very linked in with the arts community and doing things like an international market the first Saturday of every month where people can come in and sell their wares,” Hawn tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. “But it needs to be things the community would like to see and that they would take part in.” Hawn says locations like what are being proposed with this project help provide a central gathering location for people and businesses "Helping people be able to showcase products that maybe they wouldn’t get to do in other ways,” Hawn explains. “So, it’s very much an incubator for restaurants and retail.” Hawn says for example maybe someone makes really good Thai food but doesn't have the avenue to open their own restaurant. "This gives you an opportunity to try a concept in a smaller space with a lot of resources to help you kind of be successful like mentors,” Hawn says. Hawn says the goal behind the project would be having a few anchor tenants, but also space for pop ups, and also community programs in the space. Hawn says one common thing they hear from people at the Chamber is asking what kind of gathering places there are around downtown. And additionally, Hawn says when a new potential business comes to St. Joe, they want to see downtown, because often they want to see the local flavor "Yes, you have to have national retail, yes you have to have amenities, folks have expectations of a Target and different things that they want, but your flavor or your heart or your grit comes from your local businesses, and a lot of the times that’s downtown.” Hawn says the Chamber is currently exploring the Felix Street Market project downtown in order to help bring more population downtown as part of downtown improvement efforts. Hawn says currently they are seeking community input on the project and will put out a survey after the Labor Day weekend.

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce exploring opportunities for Felix Street Market

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

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

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

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

Missouri man hospitalized after violent semi crash

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Federal judge pauses program that grants protections for undocumented spouses

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

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

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

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

Missouri Corrections officials report death at Chillicothe prison

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art for free today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St. Joseph School District launches pupil attendance incentive program

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drugmakers sue to block Missouri law on federal prescription discounts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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