For many, the holidays are full of light, love, family and festivity. But for others, the last weeks of the year can represent loneliness, loss or family tension.

Kristen Peltz, director of wellness services and counseling at Northwest Missouri State University, provided tips for those struggling to cope, noting that everyone deserves peace and a chance for joy during the season.

Peltz advises those who find the holidays a time of isolation — perhaps due to the loss of a loved one, children leaving home or separation from family — to actively seek connection. She recommends avoiding the natural tendency to isolate when sad or lonely, instead accepting the generosity of others.

For those spending the holidays alone, she suggests volunteering. Helping others offers a much-needed service, gets a person out into the community and often leads to a positive self-assessment.&nbsp;

The holidays are often "a setup for perfectionists," Peltz says, noting that media tries to convince people they can create a perfect celebration. She recommends giving yourself room to have a wonderful, and wonderfully imperfect, holiday.

Allow the cookies to be store-bought, the guests to argue and the lights to go out. Life happens in all its wondrous chaos and unpredictability, and people should celebrate it.

Set Limits and Prioritize Self-Care

The holiday season can make it difficult to stand up to pushy or critical friends and family, but setting limits is crucial, Peltz advises. She recommends clearly stating what you are willing to do and where you draw the line.

Peltz stresses the importance of self-care. People should take care of themselves as much as they care for others and encourage a more equitable distribution of responsibility. She recommends staying firm when push-back occurs, as others will adjust.

In addition to setting external boundaries, Peltz suggests taking time for yourself, even when surrounded by family. This can be as simple as running an errand, taking a walk or stepping into another room for a brief respite. Even sitting in your car for a few minutes to breathe deeply can provide a much-needed break.

Address Loss and Financial Pressure

For those who are reminded of someone dear during the holidays, honoring that person can be an important part of healing. Peltz suggests rituals like creating a memory box, writing a letter to the loved one or engaging in an activity they enjoyed. She points out that grief, painful as it may be, reflects something wonderful.

If finances are a source of stress, Peltz encourages reconsidering spending. This may involve letting others know you are cutting back on gift-giving. People should release the pressure of gift-giving expectations and the financial stress that comes with them.

Peltz also advises practicing acceptance regarding family dynamics. What hasn’t changed yet is unlikely to change over the holidays. People should take a deep breath, relax and remember that their powers of persuasion, diplomacy or resolve are limited.

Finally, Peltz urges those struggling with persistent mood, stress or loss-related challenges to consider counseling. There is no wrong time of year to ask for help.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765403338076.jpg" alt="christmas background, christmas wallpaper, gift, new year's eve, congratulation, christmas, holiday, winter, joy, happiness, christmas tree, surprise" />
 <figcaption>christmas background, christmas wallpaper, gift, new year's eve, congratulation, christmas, holiday, winter, joy, happiness, christmas tree, surprise</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHFor many, the holidays are full of light, love, family and festivity. But for others, the last weeks of the year can represent loneliness, loss or family tension.Kristen Peltz, director of wellness services and counseling at Northwest Missouri State University, provided tips for those struggling to cope, noting that everyone deserves peace and a chance for joy during the season.Combat Loneliness and IsolationPeltz advises those who find the holidays a time of isolation — perhaps due to the loss of a loved one, children leaving home or separation from family — to actively seek connection. She recommends avoiding the natural tendency to isolate when sad or lonely, instead accepting the generosity of others.For those spending the holidays alone, she suggests volunteering. Helping others offers a much-needed service, gets a person out into the community and often leads to a positive self-assessment.&nbsp;Embrace ImperfectionThe holidays are often "a setup for perfectionists," Peltz says, noting that media tries to convince people they can create a perfect celebration. She recommends giving yourself room to have a wonderful, and wonderfully imperfect, holiday.Allow the cookies to be store-bought, the guests to argue and the lights to go out. Life happens in all its wondrous chaos and unpredictability, and people should celebrate it.Set Limits and Prioritize Self-CareThe holiday season can make it difficult to stand up to pushy or critical friends and family, but setting limits is crucial, Peltz advises. She recommends clearly stating what you are willing to do and where you draw the line.Peltz stresses the importance of self-care. People should take care of themselves as much as they care for others and encourage a more equitable distribution of responsibility. She recommends staying firm when push-back occurs, as others will adjust.In addition to setting external boundaries, Peltz suggests taking time for yourself, even when surrounded by family. This can be as simple as running an errand, taking a walk or stepping into another room for a brief respite. Even sitting in your car for a few minutes to breathe deeply can provide a much-needed break.Address Loss and Financial PressureFor those who are reminded of someone dear during the holidays, honoring that person can be an important part of healing. Peltz suggests rituals like creating a memory box, writing a letter to the loved one or engaging in an activity they enjoyed. She points out that grief, painful as it may be, reflects something wonderful.If finances are a source of stress, Peltz encourages reconsidering spending. This may involve letting others know you are cutting back on gift-giving. People should release the pressure of gift-giving expectations and the financial stress that comes with them.Peltz also advises practicing acceptance regarding family dynamics. What hasn’t changed yet is unlikely to change over the holidays. People should take a deep breath, relax and remember that their powers of persuasion, diplomacy or resolve are limited.Finally, Peltz urges those struggling with persistent mood, stress or loss-related challenges to consider counseling. There is no wrong time of year to ask for help.

Holiday Survival Guide: Finding peace and joy when the season is a struggle

The Missouri Department of Transportation is shutting down the north interchange between Interstate 29 and 229, north of Saint Joseph and east of Amazonia, for&nbsp; concrete replacement.

Per MoDOT, the northbound lanes of 229, Highway 71, and Highway 59, which all run concurrently there, will be closed below I-29 from 8 AM Thursday to 9 AM Friday, December 19th. The ramp from southbound I-29 to northbound 71 will likewise be closed during this time.

By JIM FARISThe Missouri Department of Transportation is shutting down the north interchange between Interstate 29 and 229, north of Saint Joseph and east of Amazonia, for&nbsp; concrete replacement.Per MoDOT, the northbound lanes of 229, Highway 71, and Highway 59, which all run concurrently there, will be closed below I-29 from 8 AM Thursday to 9 AM Friday, December 19th. The ramp from southbound I-29 to northbound 71 will likewise be closed during this time.

I-229 Interchange to close Thursday and Friday

A Savannah High
School senior faces a weapons charge after allegedly pulling a gun on another
student.

Authorities are
relying on video evidence that seems to indicate 18-year-old Chris Burnett pointed
a gun in the direction of a student who got into an argument with his brother. The
incident occurred Friday on school property. The principal provided
investigators with the video recorded by a student.

Savannah school
officials say no one was hurt.

Burnett is being
held in the Andrew County jail.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765909174758.jpeg" alt="Chris Burnett/Andrew County photo" />
 <figcaption>Chris Burnett/Andrew County photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA Savannah High
School senior faces a weapons charge after allegedly pulling a gun on another
student.Authorities are
relying on video evidence that seems to indicate 18-year-old Chris Burnett pointed
a gun in the direction of a student who got into an argument with his brother. The
incident occurred Friday on school property. The principal provided
investigators with the video recorded by a student.Savannah school
officials say no one was hurt.Burnett is being
held in the Andrew County jail.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Savannah HS senior charged with threatening student with gun

A training program from the United Way, Success By 6, is presenting 'Seeing Strength, Shaping Supports: Autism-Informed Teaching for Every Learner' is coming up next month.

The program will take place Saturday, January 24 from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Wyatt Park Christian Church Fellowship Hall. This training is intended for early care and education providers but is open to any interested community member.

Bobbie Cronk, Director of Children's Initiative with the United Way of Greater Joseph says, "This is an initiative of United Way that focuses on ensuring our children have what they need to be successful on that first day of Kintergarten."

The training will be led by Cheryl Cotter and Cristen Sassi, who present across the country to audiences on early care and education. United Way says all children in the classroom benefit when teachers understand autistic ways of thinking and processing the world.

"The program we have coming up really focuses on preschool teachers and childcare providers understanding different styles of learning that can be identified with Autism or Autism spectrum disorders," Cronk says.

Participants have the opportunity to learn how to view learning differences through a strength-based lens, and how to match supports and teaching strategies to the child’s perspective, learning needs and environment.

The doors open at 7:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $15. 

Light refreshments will be provided. The event is made possible by Community Action Partnership Head Start and Wyatt Park Christian Church. For more information, contact the United Way at 816-364-2381.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762972481032.jpeg" alt="United Way of St. Joseph.jpg" />
 <figcaption>United Way of St. Joseph.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHA training program from the United Way, Success By 6, is presenting 'Seeing Strength, Shaping Supports: Autism-Informed Teaching for Every Learner' is coming up next month.The program will take place Saturday, January 24 from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Wyatt Park Christian Church Fellowship Hall. This training is intended for early care and education providers but is open to any interested community member.Bobbie Cronk, Director of Children's Initiative with the United Way of Greater Joseph says, "This is an initiative of United Way that focuses on ensuring our children have what they need to be successful on that first day of Kintergarten."The training will be led by Cheryl Cotter and Cristen Sassi, who present across the country to audiences on early care and education. United Way says all children in the classroom benefit when teachers understand autistic ways of thinking and processing the world."The program we have coming up really focuses on preschool teachers and childcare providers understanding different styles of learning that can be identified with Autism or Autism spectrum disorders," Cronk says.Participants have the opportunity to learn how to view learning differences through a strength-based lens, and how to match supports and teaching strategies to the child’s perspective, learning needs and environment.The doors open at 7:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $15. Light refreshments will be provided. The event is made possible by Community Action Partnership Head Start and Wyatt Park Christian Church. For more information, contact the United Way at 816-364-2381.

Early Educators and Community Invited to 'Seeing Strength, Shaping Supports' Training on January 24

Missouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe says he plans to concentrate on public safety and economic development in
the upcoming legislative session.

Kehoe says his
office plans to roll out a second public safety proposal as well as a dramatic
proposal for economic development.

“Several things
that will continue in the public safety realm. As you know, that was a big push
for us last year. We’ve got kind of a Safer Missouri 2.0 for next year,” Kehoe
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Economic development issues that we have; the main
one of those will be we’ll be presenting a proposal to eliminate the Missouri
state income tax.”

Kehoe says his
proposal is responsible and claims his office will propose eliminating the
state income tax by using other methods to fund state services. The governor
says he understands some worry what such a proposal could do to funding state
government.

“We’ll do it in a
responsible way,” Kehoe says. “We’re not going to be like Kansas, nothing
against them, but their plan didn’t work so well. I think we’ve got a more thought-out
plan.”

The governor also
wants to see a proposal by St. Joseph Rep. Brenda Shields to expand child care
in the state pass this legislature this next session.

“Well, Rep.
Shields has been a rock star in child care. And we’ve gotten a few pieces
through last session, but there’s some more work to do,” Kehoe says. “We’ll
continue to push that very hard, because it’s a big piece of our workforce
issue. We have a lot of parents staying at home that are qualified and want to
work, but they can’t because of lack of child care.”

Shields has
sponsored a package of incentives aimed at increasing child care in Missouri.
It has been approved in the Missouri House for three years in a row and for
three years in a row, it has failed to pass the Senate.

The legislative
session in Jefferson City begins January 7th.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765908343082.jpeg" alt="Gov. Mike Kehoe/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Mike Kehoe/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe says he plans to concentrate on public safety and economic development in
the upcoming legislative session.Kehoe says his
office plans to roll out a second public safety proposal as well as a dramatic
proposal for economic development.“Several things
that will continue in the public safety realm. As you know, that was a big push
for us last year. We’ve got kind of a Safer Missouri 2.0 for next year,” Kehoe
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Economic development issues that we have; the main
one of those will be we’ll be presenting a proposal to eliminate the Missouri
state income tax.”Kehoe says his
proposal is responsible and claims his office will propose eliminating the
state income tax by using other methods to fund state services. The governor
says he understands some worry what such a proposal could do to funding state
government.“We’ll do it in a
responsible way,” Kehoe says. “We’re not going to be like Kansas, nothing
against them, but their plan didn’t work so well. I think we’ve got a more thought-out
plan.”The governor also
wants to see a proposal by St. Joseph Rep. Brenda Shields to expand child care
in the state pass this legislature this next session.“Well, Rep.
Shields has been a rock star in child care. And we’ve gotten a few pieces
through last session, but there’s some more work to do,” Kehoe says. “We’ll
continue to push that very hard, because it’s a big piece of our workforce
issue. We have a lot of parents staying at home that are qualified and want to
work, but they can’t because of lack of child care.”Shields has
sponsored a package of incentives aimed at increasing child care in Missouri.
It has been approved in the Missouri House for three years in a row and for
three years in a row, it has failed to pass the Senate.The legislative
session in Jefferson City begins January 7th.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Gov. Kehoe to emphasize public safety, economic development next year

KFEQ Morning News 12/16/2025

KFEQ Morning Sports 12/16/2025

GRUNDY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Monday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Missouri State Highway Patrol 2023 Ford Explorer driven by a 41-year-old St. Joseph man was northbound with emergency lights activated escorting a 2023 Kenworth semi with an oversized load occupying part of the shoulder and part of the southbound lane.

 A southbound 2005 Land Rover driven by a 72-year-old Mercer woman traveled off the right side of the road and and side swiped the Trooper's SUV. The Trooper came to a controlled stop in the southbound lane. The Land Rover returned to the road and rear-eded a southbound 2023 Freightliner school bus&nbsp;driven by a 35-year-old Chillicothe man which had yielded to the Trooper by traveling off the west side of the road.&nbsp; The Land Rover then rear-ended the towed unit of northbound 2023 Kenworth semi driven by a 48-year-old Roxie, Mississippi man.&nbsp;

A northbound&nbsp; 2019 Ford F250 driven by 25-year-old British Columbia man was following the 2023 Kenworth. The pickup driver attempted to avoid the Land Rover. The Land Rover struck the left side of the pickup and came to rest in the northbound lane facing southwest.

Grundy County EMS transported the driver of the Land Rover and a 72-year-old passenger to Wright Memorial Hospital. There were not other injuries. All five drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol SUV had approximately $5,000 damage to a mirror and rear quarter panel. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.&nbsp;

GRUNDY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Monday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Missouri State Highway Patrol 2023 Ford Explorer driven by a 41-year-old St. Joseph man was northbound with emergency lights activated escorting a 2023 Kenworth semi with an oversized load occupying part of the shoulder and part of the southbound lane. A southbound 2005 Land Rover driven by a 72-year-old Mercer woman traveled off the right side of the road and and side swiped the Trooper's SUV. The Trooper came to a controlled stop in the southbound lane. The Land Rover returned to the road and rear-eded a southbound 2023 Freightliner school bus&nbsp;driven by a 35-year-old Chillicothe man which had yielded to the Trooper by traveling off the west side of the road.&nbsp; The Land Rover then rear-ended the towed unit of northbound 2023 Kenworth semi driven by a 48-year-old Roxie, Mississippi man.&nbsp;A northbound&nbsp; 2019 Ford F250 driven by 25-year-old British Columbia man was following the 2023 Kenworth. The pickup driver attempted to avoid the Land Rover. The Land Rover struck the left side of the pickup and came to rest in the northbound lane facing southwest.Grundy County EMS transported the driver of the Land Rover and a 72-year-old passenger to Wright Memorial Hospital. There were not other injuries. All five drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol SUV had approximately $5,000 damage to a mirror and rear quarter panel. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.&nbsp;

2 injured after 5-vehicle crash including MSHP SUV and school bus

Santa Clause is coming to the Wyeth Tootle Mansion for an annual event to visit the boys and girls and get residents into the Christmas spirit.  

St. Joseph Museums annual Santa at the Mansion event is on Saturday, a free holiday event hosted at the Wyeth Tootle.   

Communications and Group Tours Manager Kami Jones says the event not only gives you free access to the museum and a visit with Santa 

"We also have our brand-new Mystery at the Mansion scavenger hunt, which is a book that the kids get” Jones tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “The kids all get a book, and they get to take it home with them, and it takes them on a scavenger hunt to go find different things throughout the museum and then they get a little prize at the end when they get it all done.” 

Jones actually wrote the scavenger hunt book, which debuted during Free Museum Day, and she says it was a massive success. 

"It takes them around to every floor of the mansion, and they have to go find different exhibits on each floor, and they follow Mr. Explorer and he’s a kids explorer that takes them around everywhere in the mansion,” Jones explains.  “We were able to keep that free for all of those kids that are coming in with some generous donations from the public and our membership, so it’s a whole lot of fun.” 

Jones says it's fun to see people get into the holiday spirit during the event, especially if they've never seen the Wyeth Tootle decorated 

"Because it is over the top, and I think that just gives a little twinkle in everybody’s eyes,” Jones says.  “And to see all the kids, they just light up when they get to see Santa Clause, and then them running around the mansion actually enjoying it, it just does really good for all of us.” 

The event will run from noon to 2pm on Saturday and is completely free to attend.  Jones also says pets are allowed if you would like a picture of your pet with Santa. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765579879610.jpeg" alt="The annual Santa at the Mansion event is Saturday as Santa Clause will visit the Wyeth Tootle mansion/ Photo courtesy of the Wyeth Tootle Mansion Facebook-2022" />
 <figcaption>The annual Santa at the Mansion event is Saturday as Santa Clause will visit the Wyeth Tootle mansion/ Photo courtesy of the Wyeth Tootle Mansion Facebook-2022</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostSanta Clause is coming to the Wyeth Tootle Mansion for an annual event to visit the boys and girls and get residents into the Christmas spirit. St. Joseph Museums annual Santa at the Mansion event is on Saturday, a free holiday event hosted at the Wyeth Tootle. Communications and Group Tours Manager Kami Jones says the event not only gives you free access to the museum and a visit with Santa "We also have our brand-new Mystery at the Mansion scavenger hunt, which is a book that the kids get” Jones tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “The kids all get a book, and they get to take it home with them, and it takes them on a scavenger hunt to go find different things throughout the museum and then they get a little prize at the end when they get it all done.” Jones actually wrote the scavenger hunt book, which debuted during Free Museum Day, and she says it was a massive success. "It takes them around to every floor of the mansion, and they have to go find different exhibits on each floor, and they follow Mr. Explorer and he’s a kids explorer that takes them around everywhere in the mansion,” Jones explains. “We were able to keep that free for all of those kids that are coming in with some generous donations from the public and our membership, so it’s a whole lot of fun.” Jones says it's fun to see people get into the holiday spirit during the event, especially if they've never seen the Wyeth Tootle decorated "Because it is over the top, and I think that just gives a little twinkle in everybody’s eyes,” Jones says. “And to see all the kids, they just light up when they get to see Santa Clause, and then them running around the mansion actually enjoying it, it just does really good for all of us.” The event will run from noon to 2pm on Saturday and is completely free to attend. Jones also says pets are allowed if you would like a picture of your pet with Santa. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

See Santa and have family Christmas fun Saturday at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion

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

A portion of the signatures&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/09/missouri-gerrymander-congressional-map-referendum/">submitted last week</a>&nbsp;to force a referendum on Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional district map won’t be reviewed before a Cole County judge rules on whether all should be checked.

People Not Politicians is challenging a decision by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins that no signatures collected before Oct. 14 — the day he certified the form of the referendum petition — are valid.&nbsp;

In an order issued Friday, Circuit Judge Christopher Limmbaugh wrote that he will wait to issue his ruling while local election officials determine if the portion being checked is sufficient to place the issue on a statewide ballot.

Last week, People Not Politicians delivered 691 boxes of petition sheets bearing more than 305,000 signatures to Hoskins’ office. There are signatures from every county in the state, organizers said, and they have little doubt they will reach the threshold of about 110,000 signatures to make the 2026 ballot.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Joint%20Stipulation%20of%20Facts%20and%20Exhibits.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3709303" target="_blank">filing in the case</a>, People Not Politicians stated that about 103,000 of the signatures were collected before the cutoff date.

The other 202,000 signatures should be checked before he makes a decision, Limbaugh ruled.

“Conceivably, this could be enough signatures to place the referendum on the ballot thereby mooting the issues presented in the case at bar,” he wrote.

The case, he wrote, will be “in abeyance until the requisite number of signatures have been certified or up until enough signatures have been rejected so as to prevent plaintiffs’ referendum from appearing on the ballot.”

Limbaugh presided over a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/08/federal-judge-rejects-missouri-ags-push-to-block-referendum-on-gerrymandered-map/">three-hour trial</a>&nbsp;in the case last Monday.&nbsp;

Limbaugh ordered Hoskins to hold on to the signatures not sent to local election authorities for verification while the case is on hold. When the signatures were submitted, Hoskins said he was already acting to preserve the early signatures.

County clerks and election boards have until July 28 to finish checking the signatures.&nbsp;

Limbaugh has already ruled twice against opponents of the map&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">forced through by the Republican majority</a>&nbsp;during a September special session.&nbsp;

Limbaugh ruled last week lawmakers had the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3746364" target="_blank">constitutional authority</a>&nbsp;to enact the revised map.

And in October, he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Order.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3713642" target="_blank">declined to issue a temporary order</a>&nbsp;blocking any of the actions during the special session in a case brought by the Missouri NAACP. That case is set for a trial Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The NAACP wants Limbaugh to declare that Gov. Mike Kehoe had&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/15/judge-hears-arguments-in-case-seeking-to-toss-missouris-new-congressional-maps/">no authority</a>&nbsp;under the Missouri Constitution to call lawmakers into session for congressional redistricting and altering the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative.

The fight over redistricting began in July, when President Donald Trump began&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/">pressuring Missouri Republicans</a>&nbsp;to change the map to give the GOP an edge in seven of the state’s eight districts instead of the six they currently hold.&nbsp;

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/after-hearing-from-trump-missouri-gop-muscle-gerrymandered-map-forward-in-state-senate/">kept up the pressure</a>&nbsp;during the special session and state Senate Republicans used rule changes to undercut Democratic opposition and muscle the map to passage.

Last week, Democratic attorney Brad Ketcher filed a complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission alleging any White House employee calling lawmakers about the redistricting plan should have been registered as a lobbyist.

The intended result from the new map is to flip the 5th District to the GOP. The district, based in Kansas City, has been represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver since 2005.&nbsp;

The district is carved up under the new map with portions attached to the 4th and 6th Districts. Heavily Republican areas stretching along the Missouri River to Boone County would be added to the remaining Kansas City portions.

If the referendum has sufficient signatures, the map would be on the November 2026 ballot unless lawmakers set an earlier date.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765884385189.png" alt=" Missouri Capitol Police officers conduct security checks Dec. 9 on the 691 boxes of petitions filed to force a referendum on the gerrymandered Congressional district map passed by lawmakers in September. Of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the Missouri ballot, voters have rejected the General Assembly’s actions all but twice (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri Capitol Police officers conduct security checks Dec. 9 on the 691 boxes of petitions filed to force a referendum on the gerrymandered Congressional district map passed by lawmakers in September. Of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the Missouri ballot, voters have rejected the General Assembly’s actions all but twice (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A portion of the signatures&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/09/missouri-gerrymander-congressional-map-referendum/">submitted last week</a>&nbsp;to force a referendum on Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional district map won’t be reviewed before a Cole County judge rules on whether all should be checked.People Not Politicians is challenging a decision by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins that no signatures collected before Oct. 14 — the day he certified the form of the referendum petition — are valid.&nbsp;In an order issued Friday, Circuit Judge Christopher Limmbaugh wrote that he will wait to issue his ruling while local election officials determine if the portion being checked is sufficient to place the issue on a statewide ballot.Last week, People Not Politicians delivered 691 boxes of petition sheets bearing more than 305,000 signatures to Hoskins’ office. There are signatures from every county in the state, organizers said, and they have little doubt they will reach the threshold of about 110,000 signatures to make the 2026 ballot.In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Joint%20Stipulation%20of%20Facts%20and%20Exhibits.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3709303" target="_blank">filing in the case</a>, People Not Politicians stated that about 103,000 of the signatures were collected before the cutoff date.The other 202,000 signatures should be checked before he makes a decision, Limbaugh ruled.“Conceivably, this could be enough signatures to place the referendum on the ballot thereby mooting the issues presented in the case at bar,” he wrote.The case, he wrote, will be “in abeyance until the requisite number of signatures have been certified or up until enough signatures have been rejected so as to prevent plaintiffs’ referendum from appearing on the ballot.”Limbaugh presided over a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/08/federal-judge-rejects-missouri-ags-push-to-block-referendum-on-gerrymandered-map/">three-hour trial</a>&nbsp;in the case last Monday.&nbsp;Limbaugh ordered Hoskins to hold on to the signatures not sent to local election authorities for verification while the case is on hold. When the signatures were submitted, Hoskins said he was already acting to preserve the early signatures.County clerks and election boards have until July 28 to finish checking the signatures.&nbsp;Limbaugh has already ruled twice against opponents of the map&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">forced through by the Republican majority</a>&nbsp;during a September special session.&nbsp;Limbaugh ruled last week lawmakers had the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3746364" target="_blank">constitutional authority</a>&nbsp;to enact the revised map.And in October, he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Order.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3713642" target="_blank">declined to issue a temporary order</a>&nbsp;blocking any of the actions during the special session in a case brought by the Missouri NAACP. That case is set for a trial Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The NAACP wants Limbaugh to declare that Gov. Mike Kehoe had&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/15/judge-hears-arguments-in-case-seeking-to-toss-missouris-new-congressional-maps/">no authority</a>&nbsp;under the Missouri Constitution to call lawmakers into session for congressional redistricting and altering the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative.The fight over redistricting began in July, when President Donald Trump began&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/">pressuring Missouri Republicans</a>&nbsp;to change the map to give the GOP an edge in seven of the state’s eight districts instead of the six they currently hold.&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/after-hearing-from-trump-missouri-gop-muscle-gerrymandered-map-forward-in-state-senate/">kept up the pressure</a>&nbsp;during the special session and state Senate Republicans used rule changes to undercut Democratic opposition and muscle the map to passage.Last week, Democratic attorney Brad Ketcher filed a complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission alleging any White House employee calling lawmakers about the redistricting plan should have been registered as a lobbyist.The intended result from the new map is to flip the 5th District to the GOP. The district, based in Kansas City, has been represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver since 2005.&nbsp;The district is carved up under the new map with portions attached to the 4th and 6th Districts. Heavily Republican areas stretching along the Missouri River to Boone County would be added to the remaining Kansas City portions.If the referendum has sufficient signatures, the map would be on the November 2026 ballot unless lawmakers set an earlier date.&nbsp;

Judge delays decision on signatures for Missouri referendum on gerrymandered map

NODAWAY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.

The&nbsp; Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Dodge 3500 driven by a 30-year-old Oregon, Missouri, man was southbound on U.S. 71 five miles south of Maryville. The pickup rear-eded a 1999 Lincoln Continental driven by a 78-year-old Barnard man who was turning right onto 340th Street.

Nodaway County EMS transported the Lincoln driver to Mosaic in Maryville. The pickup driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

NODAWAY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.The&nbsp; Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Dodge 3500 driven by a 30-year-old Oregon, Missouri, man was southbound on U.S. 71 five miles south of Maryville. The pickup rear-eded a 1999 Lincoln Continental driven by a 78-year-old Barnard man who was turning right onto 340th Street.Nodaway County EMS transported the Lincoln driver to Mosaic in Maryville. The pickup driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man injured after rear-end crash

The St. Joseph Community Chorus (SJCC) will present its annual holiday concert, Christmas at the Cathedral, on Sunday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Dec. 22.

The performances will take place at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 519 N. 10th Street. The Sunday show is scheduled for 3 p.m., with Monday's performance beginning at 7 p.m.

Cheryl Rasmussen, administrator for the St. Joseph Community Chorus, says this year the group is collaborating with special guests Rezound!, a Handbell Ensemble from Kansas City. "It should be a beautiful time for Christmas music and the bells, and hearing us together."

Rezound will perform four selections on their own, with Rasmussen adding, "The chorus and chamber choir will also perform various selections."

The SJCC, under the direction of Tim Tharaldson, will feature a mix of seasonal favorites and new works. Highlights include John Rutter’s “Angels’ Carol,” the lively “Catalonian Carol,” and Tharaldson’s original composition, “Stars Over Snow.” 

The concert will open with the Chamber Choir singing traditional carols, followed by the full chorus.

Rezound! is directed by Janet Carter, and is described as Kansas City’s premier auditioned handbell group.

Tickets for Christmas at the Cathedral are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and free for students of all ages. Tickets are available online and at the door.

Later in the season, Rasmussen says the chorus will perform Feb. 21 with New York Voices, which is a jazz quartet from New York City. That concert will take place at the Missouri Theatre at 7:00 p.m. 

This is also the 45th anniversary of the chorus and to help round out the season, Rasmussen says, "At the end of season on April 26th, we'll be singing at First Presbyterian Church. The selections will include the greatest hits from the St. Joseph Community Chorus over the last 45 years."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758550081675.jpg" alt="sheet music, piano, music, hd wallpaper, windows wallpaper, music, hd wallpaper, hd wallpaper, hd wallpaper, hd wallpaper, hd wallpaper" />
 <figcaption>sheet music, piano, music, hd wallpaper, windows wallpaper, music, hd wallpaper, hd wallpaper, hd wallpaper, hd wallpaper, hd wallpaper</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe St. Joseph Community Chorus (SJCC) will present its annual holiday concert, Christmas at the Cathedral, on Sunday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Dec. 22.The performances will take place at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 519 N. 10th Street. The Sunday show is scheduled for 3 p.m., with Monday's performance beginning at 7 p.m.Cheryl Rasmussen, administrator for the St. Joseph Community Chorus, says this year the group is collaborating with special guests Rezound!, a Handbell Ensemble from Kansas City. "It should be a beautiful time for Christmas music and the bells, and hearing us together."Rezound will perform four selections on their own, with Rasmussen adding, "The chorus and chamber choir will also perform various selections."The SJCC, under the direction of Tim Tharaldson, will feature a mix of seasonal favorites and new works. Highlights include John Rutter’s “Angels’ Carol,” the lively “Catalonian Carol,” and Tharaldson’s original composition, “Stars Over Snow.” The concert will open with the Chamber Choir singing traditional carols, followed by the full chorus.Rezound! is directed by Janet Carter, and is described as Kansas City’s premier auditioned handbell group.Tickets for Christmas at the Cathedral are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and free for students of all ages. Tickets are available online and at the door.Later in the season, Rasmussen says the chorus will perform Feb. 21 with New York Voices, which is a jazz quartet from New York City. That concert will take place at the Missouri Theatre at 7:00 p.m. This is also the 45th anniversary of the chorus and to help round out the season, Rasmussen says, "At the end of season on April 26th, we'll be singing at First Presbyterian Church. The selections will include the greatest hits from the St. Joseph Community Chorus over the last 45 years."

St. Joseph Community Chorus to hold annual concert 'Christmas at the Cathedral'

An 85-year old St. Joseph man was injured in a one vehicle wreck Monday morning in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the accident at 9:35 a.m. on Route K at Route CC, two miles north of Amazonia.

A 2010 Honda Insight was southbound when it crossed the center line and traveled off the east side of the road. The vehicle struck a tree and a powerline, coming to rest on its top.

The driver was taken to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph for the treatment of serious injuries.

The Andrew County Sheriff's Department and Andrew County Fire Department assisted the Patrol at the scene.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of victims in crash reports.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756140209330.png" alt="MSHP" />
 <figcaption>MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHAn 85-year old St. Joseph man was injured in a one vehicle wreck Monday morning in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the accident at 9:35 a.m. on Route K at Route CC, two miles north of Amazonia.A 2010 Honda Insight was southbound when it crossed the center line and traveled off the east side of the road. The vehicle struck a tree and a powerline, coming to rest on its top.The driver was taken to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph for the treatment of serious injuries.The Andrew County Sheriff's Department and Andrew County Fire Department assisted the Patrol at the scene.The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of victims in crash reports.

St. Joseph man injured in Monday morning wreck

By Brent MartinSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2Y6uM2cnfRSiWrOtLZlowu?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News 12/15/25

A gift from the Leah Spratt Charitable Trust to the Mosaic Life Care Foundation is helping provide free nights at the InspireU Children's Discovery Center.  

The museum will provide three more free nights, after the first event was held at the end of last month.   

Museum director Katherine Patterson-Paronto says after the museum closed for its normal hours; they re-opened the doors later in the evening 

"And there was just a line of people so excited to come in waiting for us when we reopened that door,” Patterson-Paronto tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And so, we loved it, because we were having fun right away, and we ended up having about 200 people come through the doors that night, so we’re really pleased.” 

Patterson- Paronto says gifts like these help in making it more affordable for people to come experience the museum 

"These sponsors really make it possible for us to be able to afford to give opportunities to these families,” Patterson- Paronto explains.  “The free nights are really a great way for if a family can’t afford to come at all, they’ve got that time they can come and have a great time.” 

Patterson-Paronto says the most important part for her, and her staff, is to make sure every family has the opportunity to experience the museum.  

Patterson- Paronto adds that being able to provide four free nights is great, because it helps get the word out about the events 

"If you have something on a regular basis, the word gets out and more people realize it’s happening and can come,” Patteron- Paronto says.  “And so, the worst-case scenario for us is like a family learns the day after we have a free night they could have come for free, we definitely want as many people as possible to take advantage of this and have a great time with their families.” 

Free nights will be hosted again on January 22nd, March 19th, and May 21st from 5:30 to 8pm 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

By MATT PIKEA gift from the Leah Spratt Charitable Trust to the Mosaic Life Care Foundation is helping provide free nights at the InspireU Children's Discovery Center. The museum will provide three more free nights, after the first event was held at the end of last month. Museum director Katherine Patterson-Paronto says after the museum closed for its normal hours; they re-opened the doors later in the evening "And there was just a line of people so excited to come in waiting for us when we reopened that door,” Patterson-Paronto tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And so, we loved it, because we were having fun right away, and we ended up having about 200 people come through the doors that night, so we’re really pleased.” Patterson- Paronto says gifts like these help in making it more affordable for people to come experience the museum "These sponsors really make it possible for us to be able to afford to give opportunities to these families,” Patterson- Paronto explains. “The free nights are really a great way for if a family can’t afford to come at all, they’ve got that time they can come and have a great time.” Patterson-Paronto says the most important part for her, and her staff, is to make sure every family has the opportunity to experience the museum. Patterson- Paronto adds that being able to provide four free nights is great, because it helps get the word out about the events "If you have something on a regular basis, the word gets out and more people realize it’s happening and can come,” Patteron- Paronto says. “And so, the worst-case scenario for us is like a family learns the day after we have a free night they could have come for free, we definitely want as many people as possible to take advantage of this and have a great time with their families.” Free nights will be hosted again on January 22nd, March 19th, and May 21st from 5:30 to 8pm You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

InspireU welcoming more families in during free nights at the museum

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Sunday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2026 Hyundai Tucson driven by a 60-year-old Ostrander, Ohioman was westbound on MO 116 at NE Valann Lane to mile east of Lathrop. The Hyundai SUV struck a 2012 Chevy Colorado driven by an 18-year-old Lathrop man that was stationary following an earlier crash.

Tri-County EMS transported the teen driver to Liberty Hospital. Holt Fire and EMS transported the 60-year-old driver to North Kansas City Hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Sunday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2026 Hyundai Tucson driven by a 60-year-old Ostrander, Ohioman was westbound on MO 116 at NE Valann Lane to mile east of Lathrop. The Hyundai SUV struck a 2012 Chevy Colorado driven by an 18-year-old Lathrop man that was stationary following an earlier crash.Tri-County EMS transported the teen driver to Liberty Hospital. Holt Fire and EMS transported the 60-year-old driver to North Kansas City Hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 injured after SUV strikes disabled pickup on Mo. highway

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Saturday in Atchison.

A 2015 Subaru Forrester driven by Robert McCourtney, 72, Atchison, northbound in the 500 Block of 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The SUV struck a 2010 Ford Mustang and a 2018 Nissan Sentra which were both parked on the east side of the street. After impact, the subaru landed on its top. The Fire Department was on the scene and extricated McCourtney from the Subaru. EMS transported him to Amberwell Hospital for examination. The investigation continues with alcohol as a factor, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765741723356.png" alt="photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Saturday in Atchison.A 2015 Subaru Forrester driven by Robert McCourtney, 72, Atchison, northbound in the 500 Block of 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The SUV struck a 2010 Ford Mustang and a 2018 Nissan Sentra which were both parked on the east side of the street. After impact, the subaru landed on its top. The Fire Department was on the scene and extricated McCourtney from the Subaru. EMS transported him to Amberwell Hospital for examination. The investigation continues with alcohol as a factor, according to Wilson.

Police: Alcohol a possible factor in 3-vehicle Kan. crash

Officials in Joplin recently passed an ordinance banning the practice after noticing out-of-state vehicles dropping off homeless people. Columbia, meanwhile, has adopted a voluntary ride home program

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/megcunningham/">Meg Cunningham</a>

For years, stories circulated around Joplin, Missouri, about the city’s homeless population and how they arrived in the city.

Calls would come in to city officials following a recurring theme.

“People were coming to the City Council meetings and saying, ‘I don’t know why you guys don’t know this, but I’m witnessing busloads of people being dropped off in our town,’” said Joplin Mayor Keenan Cortez. “‘Buses are coming in, stopping at gas stations, unloading and the buses are turning around and going back.’”

The city commissioned a study to investigate. But it came back with no hard evidence.

Still, the reports kept coming in. So the city took a deeper look.

Officials collected video evidence of out-of-state law enforcement vehicles dropping people off at truck stops. Some medical systems seemed to be involved, too. They also gathered signed affidavits from people who were new to Joplin, saying they were given promises of a shelter bed or resources at the end of their ride.

“We were starting to hear from people in our community that, ‘I was brought to Joplin and just dropped off. I was in trouble over there. That community didn’t deal with me. They put me in a car, a van, a bus and said there’s help for you,’” Cortez said.

Instead, they were left without their support system, in a new city with limited resources and few places to turn.

Cortez said city officials aren’t sure how many people shared similar stories.

“At the end of the day, I don’t know if it was 15, if it was 50,” Cortez said. “As a mayor, it doesn’t matter.”

Joplin officials put their heads together with the city’s legal team. After sending cease-and-desist letters to the organizations they believed were dropping people off in the city, the City Council started considering legislation to ban the practice.

The City Council&nbsp;<a href="https://www.joplinmo.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/11777?fileID=69549" target="_blank">passed an ordinance</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of November. It isn’t uncommon for medical systems to refer patients needing specialized treatment, or for victims of domestic violence, to be sent to a shelter in another town. The ordinance includes exemptions for those situations.

So far, Cortez and city officials think the letters and new ordinance appear to be working. They haven’t had any reports of people being dropped off since the ordinance was passed. But the trend points to a larger problem Missouri’s cities are facing as homelessness rises across the state.

Missouri’s reliance on larger cities for services&nbsp;for the homeless population

It is fairly common for smaller, rural areas to rely on the services in larger cities for things like shelters, medical care or mental health treatment.

From 2023 to 2024, the number of unsheltered people grew 9% in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-02-11/homeless-residents-midwest-cities-increasingly-hard-track-help" target="_blank">Missouri</a>, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development point-in-time counts. In&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/05/02/kansas-cities-struggling-increase-homelessness/" target="_blank">Kansas</a>, the number grew by 6%, while Oklahoma saw an 18% jump.

Columbia is similar to Joplin when it comes to being a regional hub for services and shelter beds.

Columbia began working more closely on reducing homelessness in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.como.gov/city-managers-office/homelessness-citywide-efforts/" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;by establishing a program within Boone County’s Department of Public Health to connect people with resources. City officials also created a homeless outreach team within the police department to try and divert people from the justice system.

Now, the city has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/pilot-program-in-columbia-hopes-to-reduce-homelessness-through-transportation/article_936f234d-3c03-47c8-a518-81f286951664.html" target="_blank">launched</a>&nbsp;the Ride Home program, which gives homeless or impoverished community members free rides back to their hometowns or to support systems up to three hours away. If someone needs to travel farther, the city will purchase a bus ticket to get them to where they need to go.

Since the launch in October, the city has provided three rides, said Austin Krohn, public information specialist at the Columbia &amp; Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.

“People come in for mental health services, or if there is a facility that can only do a certain type of screening for them,” Krohn said. “People are coming here from all over Missouri to get services, and then they’re stuck here.”

Local service providers and shelters can refer people to the program to receive a free ride. People must have verifiable support at the destination, a referral, photo ID and no outstanding warrants in the county.

Studies have shown that voluntary transport to a support system can be instrumental in improving someone’s housing situation.

San Francisco runs a robust transportation program, similar to Ride Home in Columbia. In fiscal year 2024, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfhsa.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-10/homeward_bound_annual_report_fy_2024-25_final.pdf" target="_blank">agency</a>&nbsp;that runs the program gave 230 rides.

San Francisco officials followed up with riders 90 days after their ride, and found that of the 230 served, 61 found housing, while 29 had another or unknown location. The remaining riders were unreachable or declined to be surveyed as part of the program.

“When I was doing direct service 30 years ago, people called it Greyhound therapy,” said Jeff Olivet, the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. “Get a bus ticket to another town, just get out of here, basically. Sometimes that can be incredibly helpful if people are really wanting and needing to get back to family and social supports.”

But if someone is transported or coerced to leave town against their will, it can lead to poorer outcomes, Olivet said.

“Transportation can be critical,” Olivet said. “But if it’s basically, ‘Get out of town or we’re going to arrest you,’ that doesn’t solve homelessness for anybody. It just moves the problem around.”

One&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2803839?guestAccessKey=f321ceca-78d6-4d55-bcc5-e7a775ce1152&amp;utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_content=tfl&amp;utm_term=041023" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;study modeled over 20 U.S. cities concluded that involuntary displacement of people experiencing homelessness — things like encampment sweeps or involuntary transport to another area — could lead to substantial increases in morbidity and mortality.

The study linked involuntary displacement with worse outcomes for overdoses and hospitalizations and a decrease in getting connected with treatment for opioid use. It said the displacements could contribute to deaths of homeless people who use drugs.

A 2017&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/dec/20/bussed-out-america-moves-homeless-people-country-study" target="_blank">investigation</a>&nbsp;from The Guardian analyzed nearly 35,000 relocation journeys over a six-year period. The investigation found that most riders were relocated to places with a lower median income.

And as homelessness rates rise across all of Missouri, cities may need to start thinking about how to address these gaps, Olivet said.

“In the case of rural areas, or even suburban areas, where there aren’t as many shelter options for people, there aren’t as many mental health treatment programs, there aren’t as many supportive services. Oftentimes, the only way to get help is by going to a larger urban area,” Olivet said.

“That speaks to a tremendous gap when we don’t have good services, support and housing options for people in rural areas. They have to go somewhere else, even if they are from that rural area.”

In Missouri, the numbers aren’t improving.

The state’s continuum of care — a group of agencies that work under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness — found in its most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://moboscoc.org/resources/data/gaps-analysis/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;that homelessness is rapidly increasing across the state.

In Region 9, which includes the southwest corner of the state (but does not include metro areas like Joplin or Springfield, which run their own continuums of care outside of the statewide framework), 2023 data found a 133% rise in unsheltered homelessness and a 100% rise in sheltered homelessness from 2022 to 2023.

The area also saw family homelessness increase by 100% from 2022 to 2023.

Region 10, which represents the counties surrounding the Kansas City area, 2023 point-in-time data showed a 3% increase in unsheltered homelessness and a 119% increase in sheltered homelessness from 2022. Family homelessness increased by 173%.

In the group’s annual report, every region saw at least one metric of homelessness, sheltered or unsheltered, increase from 2022 to 2023.

It rings alarm bells with Mary Kenion, the chief equity officer at the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

“At least half of all people experiencing homelessness in largely rural continuums of care do so outdoors, in unsheltered locations,” Kenion said. “We’re also seeing family homelessness on the rise, in rural communities specifically.”

And in their report, the Missouri continuum of care providers noted that while larger towns were better equipped to handle homelessness, it highlights the lack of resources in more rural areas.

The report found a positive relationship between the number of beds available in permanent housing situations and the length of time someone was homeless. For every 1% increase in permanent housing beds, there was a 54-day decrease in the length of time someone was homeless.

Although solutions like access to permanent housing show promise, roadblocks remain.

A coalition of nonprofits and local governments recently&nbsp;<a href="https://democracyforward.org/updates/local-governments-and-nonprofit-groups-challenge-unlawful-new-trump-vance-administration-restrictions-that-threaten-proven-solutions-to-homelessness/?utm_source=Master+Email+List&amp;utm_campaign=12ffa7439b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_22_03_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bd1968e562-&amp;utm_source=Master+Email+List&amp;utm_campaign=12ffa7439b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_22_03_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bd1968e562-267376953" target="_blank">sued</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration, arguing it created unreasonable restrictions on state continuums of care across the country. The lawsuit argues that the administration is looking to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc" target="_blank">shift funding away</a>&nbsp;from proven solutions that improve homelessness and that it could force up to 170,000 Americans into homelessness.

The new rules change what types of projects are eligible for funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the criteria for selecting projects and the conditions grantees have to accept to receive the funding, the lawsuit argues.

Ultimately, Joplin Mayor Cortez and other experts said that following up with someone after they receive care or resources is key in reducing homelessness.

Cortez is excited about a new development of 16 tiny homes dedicated to providing permanent housing situations for Joplin. But addressing the issue takes everyone coming together, he said.

“This is an ongoing thing that everybody in the community is involved in —– the health care community, the religious community,” Cortez said. “We have some passionate champions in our community working to resolve this problem.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/12/missouri-homeless-drop-offs-joplin-rides-columbia/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Missouri</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765715093916.png" alt=" Officials collected video evidence of out-of-state law enforcement vehicles dropping people off at truck stops. Some medical systems seemed to be involved, too (Naomi O’Donnell/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption> Officials collected video evidence of out-of-state law enforcement vehicles dropping people off at truck stops. Some medical systems seemed to be involved, too (Naomi O’Donnell/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Officials in Joplin recently passed an ordinance banning the practice after noticing out-of-state vehicles dropping off homeless people. Columbia, meanwhile, has adopted a voluntary ride home program</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/megcunningham/">Meg Cunningham</a>For years, stories circulated around Joplin, Missouri, about the city’s homeless population and how they arrived in the city.Calls would come in to city officials following a recurring theme.“People were coming to the City Council meetings and saying, ‘I don’t know why you guys don’t know this, but I’m witnessing busloads of people being dropped off in our town,’” said Joplin Mayor Keenan Cortez. “‘Buses are coming in, stopping at gas stations, unloading and the buses are turning around and going back.’”The city commissioned a study to investigate. But it came back with no hard evidence.Still, the reports kept coming in. So the city took a deeper look.Officials collected video evidence of out-of-state law enforcement vehicles dropping people off at truck stops. Some medical systems seemed to be involved, too. They also gathered signed affidavits from people who were new to Joplin, saying they were given promises of a shelter bed or resources at the end of their ride.“We were starting to hear from people in our community that, ‘I was brought to Joplin and just dropped off. I was in trouble over there. That community didn’t deal with me. They put me in a car, a van, a bus and said there’s help for you,’” Cortez said.Instead, they were left without their support system, in a new city with limited resources and few places to turn.Cortez said city officials aren’t sure how many people shared similar stories.“At the end of the day, I don’t know if it was 15, if it was 50,” Cortez said. “As a mayor, it doesn’t matter.”Joplin officials put their heads together with the city’s legal team. After sending cease-and-desist letters to the organizations they believed were dropping people off in the city, the City Council started considering legislation to ban the practice.The City Council&nbsp;<a href="https://www.joplinmo.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/11777?fileID=69549" target="_blank">passed an ordinance</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of November. It isn’t uncommon for medical systems to refer patients needing specialized treatment, or for victims of domestic violence, to be sent to a shelter in another town. The ordinance includes exemptions for those situations.So far, Cortez and city officials think the letters and new ordinance appear to be working. They haven’t had any reports of people being dropped off since the ordinance was passed. But the trend points to a larger problem Missouri’s cities are facing as homelessness rises across the state.<h2>Missouri’s reliance on larger cities for services&nbsp;for the homeless population</h2>It is fairly common for smaller, rural areas to rely on the services in larger cities for things like shelters, medical care or mental health treatment.From 2023 to 2024, the number of unsheltered people grew 9% in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-02-11/homeless-residents-midwest-cities-increasingly-hard-track-help" target="_blank">Missouri</a>, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development point-in-time counts. In&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/05/02/kansas-cities-struggling-increase-homelessness/" target="_blank">Kansas</a>, the number grew by 6%, while Oklahoma saw an 18% jump.Columbia is similar to Joplin when it comes to being a regional hub for services and shelter beds.Columbia began working more closely on reducing homelessness in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.como.gov/city-managers-office/homelessness-citywide-efforts/" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;by establishing a program within Boone County’s Department of Public Health to connect people with resources. City officials also created a homeless outreach team within the police department to try and divert people from the justice system.Now, the city has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/pilot-program-in-columbia-hopes-to-reduce-homelessness-through-transportation/article_936f234d-3c03-47c8-a518-81f286951664.html" target="_blank">launched</a>&nbsp;the Ride Home program, which gives homeless or impoverished community members free rides back to their hometowns or to support systems up to three hours away. If someone needs to travel farther, the city will purchase a bus ticket to get them to where they need to go.Since the launch in October, the city has provided three rides, said Austin Krohn, public information specialist at the Columbia &amp; Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.“People come in for mental health services, or if there is a facility that can only do a certain type of screening for them,” Krohn said. “People are coming here from all over Missouri to get services, and then they’re stuck here.”Local service providers and shelters can refer people to the program to receive a free ride. People must have verifiable support at the destination, a referral, photo ID and no outstanding warrants in the county.Studies have shown that voluntary transport to a support system can be instrumental in improving someone’s housing situation.San Francisco runs a robust transportation program, similar to Ride Home in Columbia. In fiscal year 2024, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfhsa.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-10/homeward_bound_annual_report_fy_2024-25_final.pdf" target="_blank">agency</a>&nbsp;that runs the program gave 230 rides.San Francisco officials followed up with riders 90 days after their ride, and found that of the 230 served, 61 found housing, while 29 had another or unknown location. The remaining riders were unreachable or declined to be surveyed as part of the program.“When I was doing direct service 30 years ago, people called it Greyhound therapy,” said Jeff Olivet, the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. “Get a bus ticket to another town, just get out of here, basically. Sometimes that can be incredibly helpful if people are really wanting and needing to get back to family and social supports.”But if someone is transported or coerced to leave town against their will, it can lead to poorer outcomes, Olivet said.“Transportation can be critical,” Olivet said. “But if it’s basically, ‘Get out of town or we’re going to arrest you,’ that doesn’t solve homelessness for anybody. It just moves the problem around.”One&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2803839?guestAccessKey=f321ceca-78d6-4d55-bcc5-e7a775ce1152&amp;utm_source=For_The_Media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_content=tfl&amp;utm_term=041023" target="_blank">2023</a>&nbsp;study modeled over 20 U.S. cities concluded that involuntary displacement of people experiencing homelessness — things like encampment sweeps or involuntary transport to another area — could lead to substantial increases in morbidity and mortality.The study linked involuntary displacement with worse outcomes for overdoses and hospitalizations and a decrease in getting connected with treatment for opioid use. It said the displacements could contribute to deaths of homeless people who use drugs.A 2017&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/dec/20/bussed-out-america-moves-homeless-people-country-study" target="_blank">investigation</a>&nbsp;from The Guardian analyzed nearly 35,000 relocation journeys over a six-year period. The investigation found that most riders were relocated to places with a lower median income.<h2>How Missouri fares&nbsp;</h2>And as homelessness rates rise across all of Missouri, cities may need to start thinking about how to address these gaps, Olivet said.“In the case of rural areas, or even suburban areas, where there aren’t as many shelter options for people, there aren’t as many mental health treatment programs, there aren’t as many supportive services. Oftentimes, the only way to get help is by going to a larger urban area,” Olivet said.“That speaks to a tremendous gap when we don’t have good services, support and housing options for people in rural areas. They have to go somewhere else, even if they are from that rural area.”In Missouri, the numbers aren’t improving.The state’s continuum of care — a group of agencies that work under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness — found in its most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://moboscoc.org/resources/data/gaps-analysis/" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;that homelessness is rapidly increasing across the state.In Region 9, which includes the southwest corner of the state (but does not include metro areas like Joplin or Springfield, which run their own continuums of care outside of the statewide framework), 2023 data found a 133% rise in unsheltered homelessness and a 100% rise in sheltered homelessness from 2022 to 2023.The area also saw family homelessness increase by 100% from 2022 to 2023.Region 10, which represents the counties surrounding the Kansas City area, 2023 point-in-time data showed a 3% increase in unsheltered homelessness and a 119% increase in sheltered homelessness from 2022. Family homelessness increased by 173%.In the group’s annual report, every region saw at least one metric of homelessness, sheltered or unsheltered, increase from 2022 to 2023.It rings alarm bells with Mary Kenion, the chief equity officer at the National Alliance to End Homelessness.“At least half of all people experiencing homelessness in largely rural continuums of care do so outdoors, in unsheltered locations,” Kenion said. “We’re also seeing family homelessness on the rise, in rural communities specifically.”And in their report, the Missouri continuum of care providers noted that while larger towns were better equipped to handle homelessness, it highlights the lack of resources in more rural areas.The report found a positive relationship between the number of beds available in permanent housing situations and the length of time someone was homeless. For every 1% increase in permanent housing beds, there was a 54-day decrease in the length of time someone was homeless.Although solutions like access to permanent housing show promise, roadblocks remain.A coalition of nonprofits and local governments recently&nbsp;<a href="https://democracyforward.org/updates/local-governments-and-nonprofit-groups-challenge-unlawful-new-trump-vance-administration-restrictions-that-threaten-proven-solutions-to-homelessness/?utm_source=Master+Email+List&amp;utm_campaign=12ffa7439b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_22_03_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bd1968e562-&amp;utm_source=Master+Email+List&amp;utm_campaign=12ffa7439b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_09_22_03_36_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bd1968e562-267376953" target="_blank">sued</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration, arguing it created unreasonable restrictions on state continuums of care across the country. The lawsuit argues that the administration is looking to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc" target="_blank">shift funding away</a>&nbsp;from proven solutions that improve homelessness and that it could force up to 170,000 Americans into homelessness.The new rules change what types of projects are eligible for funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the criteria for selecting projects and the conditions grantees have to accept to receive the funding, the lawsuit argues.Ultimately, Joplin Mayor Cortez and other experts said that following up with someone after they receive care or resources is key in reducing homelessness.Cortez is excited about a new development of 16 tiny homes dedicated to providing permanent housing situations for Joplin. But addressing the issue takes everyone coming together, he said.“This is an ongoing thing that everybody in the community is involved in —– the health care community, the religious community,” Cortez said. “We have some passionate champions in our community working to resolve this problem.”This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/12/12/missouri-homeless-drop-offs-joplin-rides-columbia/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Missouri</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

As homeless population rises in Missouri, cities confront cross-border ‘drop-offs’

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0RpHhrPFu9VsSor80gvVgM?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>