KANSAS CITY—Three suspects are facing charges in connection with a shooting in Kansas City earlier this month, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2772/T-Huntington-Redacted-Complaint">Tyler J. Huntington</a>,30,&nbsp;&nbsp;faces Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 1st Degree Assault.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2775/Viverette-Complaint-Red">Victor Viverette</a>, 30, faces 1st Degree Domestic Assault and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2774/J-Huntington-Redacted-Probable-Cause">Jerome D. Huntington</a>, 54,&nbsp;&nbsp;faces one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2771/T-Huntington-Redacted-Probable-Cause">According to court records</a>, Raytown police responded to a shooting on Dec. 9 and located Viverette bleeding from his right forearm.&nbsp;

Based on witness reports and surveillance footage, detectives determined that both Tyler and Jerome Huntington encountered Viverette while driving.&nbsp;

Tyler and Jerome, who were driving a white Jeep, slammed on their brakes and Viverette’s vehicle crashed into it. Tyler and Jerome exited the vehicle with firearms. They both discharged their weapons at Viverette’s vehicle, who fired back through his windshield. Viverette was shot. Both vehicles fled the scene.

While detectives were investigating the shooting,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2776/Victor-Viverette-pc-red">police received a report</a>&nbsp;that Viverette had strangled and physically assaulted his girlfriend before taking her dog earlier that day.

Tyler Huntington is being held on a $150,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp; Viverette is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp; Jerome Huntington is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765540002776.png" alt="Jerome Huntington photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jerome Huntington photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Three suspects are facing charges in connection with a shooting in Kansas City earlier this month, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2772/T-Huntington-Redacted-Complaint">Tyler J. Huntington</a>,30,&nbsp;&nbsp;faces Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 1st Degree Assault.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765540138243.png" alt="VIverette photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>VIverette photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2775/Viverette-Complaint-Red">Victor Viverette</a>, 30, faces 1st Degree Domestic Assault and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765540042613.png" alt="Tyler Huntington photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Tyler Huntington photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2774/J-Huntington-Redacted-Probable-Cause">Jerome D. Huntington</a>, 54,&nbsp;&nbsp;faces one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2771/T-Huntington-Redacted-Probable-Cause">According to court records</a>, Raytown police responded to a shooting on Dec. 9 and located Viverette bleeding from his right forearm.&nbsp;Based on witness reports and surveillance footage, detectives determined that both Tyler and Jerome Huntington encountered Viverette while driving.&nbsp;Tyler and Jerome, who were driving a white Jeep, slammed on their brakes and Viverette’s vehicle crashed into it. Tyler and Jerome exited the vehicle with firearms. They both discharged their weapons at Viverette’s vehicle, who fired back through his windshield. Viverette was shot. Both vehicles fled the scene.While detectives were investigating the shooting,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2776/Victor-Viverette-pc-red">police received a report</a>&nbsp;that Viverette had strangled and physically assaulted his girlfriend before taking her dog earlier that day.Tyler Huntington is being held on a $150,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp; Viverette is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp; Jerome Huntington is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

Suspects exchanged gunfire after KC area traffic crash

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a mail fraud scheme in which false documents were submitted to the Missouri Department of Revenue to obtain mechanics liens and titles for vehicles that had previously been reported stolen, according to the United State's Attorney.

Dennis Arthur Cleveland, 75, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count each of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.

According to the plea agreement, Cleveland, as the owner of Affordable Towing, directed his employees, who he knew were submitted fraudulent documents, to send those documents to the Missouri Department of Revenue.&nbsp; 

These fraudulent documents were used to obtain substitute or replacement mechanics liens and vehicle titles that would allow Cleveland to sell the vehicles.&nbsp; In each instance, the documents submitted by Cleveland and his employees claimed to have received permission from the vehicle’s owner.&nbsp; Upon reviewing the documents, it was discovered that none of the listed vehicle owners gave Cleveland or Affordable Towing permission to seize or sell their vehicle.&nbsp; 

Further, in all these documents, a signature in the name of the vehicle’s owner was provided and was confirmed to be a forgery.&nbsp; In those instances that Cleveland obtained a replacement lien or title, he would sell the vehicle at a used car dealership.&nbsp; In those instances that Cleveland failed to receive a replacement title or mechanics lien, he would send the vehicle to a local scrapyard.&nbsp;Under either circumstance, Cleveland took all the proceeds from the vehicle’s sale or scrapping of these vehicles for himself.&nbsp; Each of the vehicles involved in this scheme were confirmed to have been reported stolen and neither Cleveland or Affordable Towing had permission to possess, sell, or scrap any of these vehicles.

Under federal statutes, Cleveland is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for the offense of mail fraud.&nbsp; Further, Cleveland is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole for the offense of money laundering.&nbsp; Finally, Cleveland is subject to a sentence of 2 years, run consecutively to the mail fraud and money laundering, for the offense of aggravated identity theft.&nbsp; The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765753424693.png" alt="Cleveland-photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>Cleveland-photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a mail fraud scheme in which false documents were submitted to the Missouri Department of Revenue to obtain mechanics liens and titles for vehicles that had previously been reported stolen, according to the United State's Attorney.Dennis Arthur Cleveland, 75, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count each of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.According to the plea agreement, Cleveland, as the owner of Affordable Towing, directed his employees, who he knew were submitted fraudulent documents, to send those documents to the Missouri Department of Revenue.&nbsp; These fraudulent documents were used to obtain substitute or replacement mechanics liens and vehicle titles that would allow Cleveland to sell the vehicles.&nbsp; In each instance, the documents submitted by Cleveland and his employees claimed to have received permission from the vehicle’s owner.&nbsp; Upon reviewing the documents, it was discovered that none of the listed vehicle owners gave Cleveland or Affordable Towing permission to seize or sell their vehicle.&nbsp; Further, in all these documents, a signature in the name of the vehicle’s owner was provided and was confirmed to be a forgery.&nbsp; In those instances that Cleveland obtained a replacement lien or title, he would sell the vehicle at a used car dealership.&nbsp; In those instances that Cleveland failed to receive a replacement title or mechanics lien, he would send the vehicle to a local scrapyard.&nbsp;Under either circumstance, Cleveland took all the proceeds from the vehicle’s sale or scrapping of these vehicles for himself.&nbsp; Each of the vehicles involved in this scheme were confirmed to have been reported stolen and neither Cleveland or Affordable Towing had permission to possess, sell, or scrap any of these vehicles.Under federal statutes, Cleveland is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for the offense of mail fraud.&nbsp; Further, Cleveland is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole for the offense of money laundering.&nbsp; Finally, Cleveland is subject to a sentence of 2 years, run consecutively to the mail fraud and money laundering, for the offense of aggravated identity theft.&nbsp; The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Owner of Mo. towing business admits to mail fraud scheme

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.

Just before 3 p.m. Dec. 9, a&nbsp; Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet pickup on 150th&nbsp;Road near U.S. Highway 75, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; 

The driver, Perkins Whitetail, 70, of Mayetta, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methampehtamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of a depressant and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp; 

The passenger Ella Montoy Mzhickteno, 55, of Mayetta, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of a depressant and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At approximately 7 p.m. that day, Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a search warrant at 209 E. Clark Street, Mayetta the residence of Perkins Whitetail.&nbsp; During the search, deputies seized items believed to be illegal drug contraband. The following additional requested charges were added to Whitetail including possession of methampehtamine, possession of an opioid, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765676980931.png" alt="Whitetail photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Whitetail photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.Just before 3 p.m. Dec. 9, a&nbsp; Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet pickup on 150th&nbsp;Road near U.S. Highway 75, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; The driver, Perkins Whitetail, 70, of Mayetta, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methampehtamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of a depressant and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp; The passenger Ella Montoy Mzhickteno, 55, of Mayetta, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of a depressant and possession of drug paraphernalia.At approximately 7 p.m. that day, Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a search warrant at 209 E. Clark Street, Mayetta the residence of Perkins Whitetail.&nbsp; During the search, deputies seized items believed to be illegal drug contraband. The following additional requested charges were added to Whitetail including possession of methampehtamine, possession of an opioid, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Traffic stop led to arrests and drug bust at Kansas home

The billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot is on the rise. The jackpot has reached an estimated $1.1 billion for Monday night’s drawing, with an estimated cash value of $503.4 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Monday’s jackpot ranks as the sixth largest in Powerball history.

“This jackpot streak is bringing people together to dream big during this festive time of year,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Please play responsibly. Just one $2 Powerball® ticket gives you a chance to win this jackpot while also supporting good causes in your community.”

The Powerball jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 1, 28, 31, 57, 58 and red Powerball 16. The Power Play® multiplier was 2X.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many may still have won cash prizes.

Nationwide, seven tickets won cash prizes worth $1 million or more in last night’s Powerball® drawing. Five tickets, sold in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes.

Two tickets, sold in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.

The drawing also produced 49 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 12 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.

Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets, sold in Colorado and North Carolina, each won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.

Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 43rd in the current jackpot run, setting a game record for most consecutive drawings in a single jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $503.4 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

The billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot is on the rise. The jackpot has reached an estimated $1.1 billion for Monday night’s drawing, with an estimated cash value of $503.4 million, according to a statement from the Multi-State Lottery Association.Monday’s jackpot ranks as the sixth largest in Powerball history.“This jackpot streak is bringing people together to dream big during this festive time of year,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Please play responsibly. Just one $2 Powerball® ticket gives you a chance to win this jackpot while also supporting good causes in your community.”The Powerball jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 1, 28, 31, 57, 58 and red Powerball 16. The Power Play® multiplier was 2X.Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many may still have won cash prizes.Nationwide, seven tickets won cash prizes worth $1 million or more in last night’s Powerball® drawing. Five tickets, sold in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia, matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes.Two tickets, sold in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.The drawing also produced 49 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 12 tickets that won $100,000 prizes.Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.In the Double Play® drawing, two tickets, sold in Colorado and North Carolina, each won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>&nbsp;following the main Powerball drawing.Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 43rd in the current jackpot run, setting a game record for most consecutive drawings in a single jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $503.4 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.1 Billion est. – Dec. 15, 2025</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li>
 </ol>

Powerball jackpot grows to 6th largest in history after Saturday drawing

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A southwestern Kansas county plans to sue the state for more than $2 million after nearly a decade of mistaken payments, mounting concern for democratic processes.

Voters in Morton County, which borders the Oklahoma panhandle and Colorado, approved a countywide sales tax in 2015 that directed funds to their local hospital. But an early administrative error that the county tried to fix resulted in the Kansas Department of Revenue sending checks to the county’s cities, which spent the money.

The hospital was short more than $1.8 million over those nine years, and the county took on new debt as it tried to cover the struggling hospital’s missing costs, according to the commissioners. In addition to the misappropriated payments, the county is suing the revenue department for an additional $295,000 to pay for the interest and legal fees from the new debt.

Morton County’s board of commissioners decided Monday it “will not compromise on recovering the full $2,152,421.36 and ensuring the financial future of our hospital,” the board said in a Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://mtcoks.com/" target="_blank">announcement</a>.

“The liability rests with the state of Kansas,” said the board, which comprises commissioners Ed Anderson, Jim Tucker and chairman J.W. Finn.

The revenue department declined to comment because of the involvement of litigation, said Zach Denney, a department spokesperson.

At a Dec. 2 legislative hearing in Topeka, the department’s chief counsel, Ted Smith, said the department fixed the sales tax revenue’s appropriation earlier this year, following an opinion from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office that underlined the voters’ intent to give funds to the hospital.&nbsp;

The hospital began receiving full checks after ten years of partial funds.&nbsp;

The Morton County attorney, David Thompson, tried at the hearing to make a claim against the state to recover the funds through a legislative process. But lawmakers did not immediately accept. The committee arrived at two options. Legislators said they could forward the issue to a larger group of lawmakers, who would take it up in January, or the county could take legal action.&nbsp;

The county had yet to file a lawsuit as of Thursday.

As passed, Morton County voters approved a general sales tax provision instead of one specifically for health care services because of a clerical error. The question on voters’ ballots cited the wrong subparagraph in state law. As it was voted on, Smith said, the department was bound by statute to formulaically distribute the sales tax revenue to Morton County and its three cities.

The county fixed the error within months, passing ordinances to divert the sales tax revenue to the county, which would then be passed along to the local hospital.

But the department continued to send checks as was dictated by the initial wording. The county gave the money it received to the hospital, but the cities, who have not been involved in the county’s efforts to reclaim the funds, spent their checks.&nbsp;

The board of commissioners emphasized unity over conflict between the county and its cities — Elkhart, Rolla and Richfield — which the board said “were simply the unintended recipients of checks sent monthly by the state agency.”

“The county views our municipalities as essential partners, not as adversaries,” the board said.

The department had known about the mistake a decade ago.&nbsp;

Thompson, the county attorney, said at the legislative hearing that it was staff at the state revenue department who advised the county on how to fix its initial error. But the department said it must abide by the statute to which an issue is tied, as a matter of policy.

“The result of this policy can be classified as nothing less than administrative voter nullification and is repugnant to our democratic processes,” the county commissioners said.

In hindsight, Smith said, the county should have taken the issue to court in 2015.

“If anything unfortunate happened back in 2015, (it) is when Morton County and the Department of Revenue (were) dealing with this issue after the vote,” Smith said. “I think both parties sort of just shrugged their shoulders.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765663630160.png" alt=" Morton County attorney David Thompson, left, and counsel for the Kansas Department of Revenue Ted Smith, right, tell legislators at a Dec. 2, 2025, meeting in Topeka, Kansas, that the state and county knew of a mistake in local sales tax revenue distribution, but it took ten years to correct it. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> Morton County attorney David Thompson, left, and counsel for the Kansas Department of Revenue Ted Smith, right, tell legislators at a Dec. 2, 2025, meeting in Topeka, Kansas, that the state and county knew of a mistake in local sales tax revenue distribution, but it took ten years to correct it. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A southwestern Kansas county plans to sue the state for more than $2 million after nearly a decade of mistaken payments, mounting concern for democratic processes.Voters in Morton County, which borders the Oklahoma panhandle and Colorado, approved a countywide sales tax in 2015 that directed funds to their local hospital. But an early administrative error that the county tried to fix resulted in the Kansas Department of Revenue sending checks to the county’s cities, which spent the money.The hospital was short more than $1.8 million over those nine years, and the county took on new debt as it tried to cover the struggling hospital’s missing costs, according to the commissioners. In addition to the misappropriated payments, the county is suing the revenue department for an additional $295,000 to pay for the interest and legal fees from the new debt.Morton County’s board of commissioners decided Monday it “will not compromise on recovering the full $2,152,421.36 and ensuring the financial future of our hospital,” the board said in a Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://mtcoks.com/" target="_blank">announcement</a>.The county was emphatic.“The liability rests with the state of Kansas,” said the board, which comprises commissioners Ed Anderson, Jim Tucker and chairman J.W. Finn.The revenue department declined to comment because of the involvement of litigation, said Zach Denney, a department spokesperson.At a Dec. 2 legislative hearing in Topeka, the department’s chief counsel, Ted Smith, said the department fixed the sales tax revenue’s appropriation earlier this year, following an opinion from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office that underlined the voters’ intent to give funds to the hospital.&nbsp;The hospital began receiving full checks after ten years of partial funds.&nbsp;The Morton County attorney, David Thompson, tried at the hearing to make a claim against the state to recover the funds through a legislative process. But lawmakers did not immediately accept. The committee arrived at two options. Legislators said they could forward the issue to a larger group of lawmakers, who would take it up in January, or the county could take legal action.&nbsp;The county had yet to file a lawsuit as of Thursday.<h2>Costly shoulder shrugging</h2>As passed, Morton County voters approved a general sales tax provision instead of one specifically for health care services because of a clerical error. The question on voters’ ballots cited the wrong subparagraph in state law. As it was voted on, Smith said, the department was bound by statute to formulaically distribute the sales tax revenue to Morton County and its three cities.The county fixed the error within months, passing ordinances to divert the sales tax revenue to the county, which would then be passed along to the local hospital.But the department continued to send checks as was dictated by the initial wording. The county gave the money it received to the hospital, but the cities, who have not been involved in the county’s efforts to reclaim the funds, spent their checks.&nbsp;The board of commissioners emphasized unity over conflict between the county and its cities — Elkhart, Rolla and Richfield — which the board said “were simply the unintended recipients of checks sent monthly by the state agency.”“The county views our municipalities as essential partners, not as adversaries,” the board said.The department had known about the mistake a decade ago.&nbsp;Thompson, the county attorney, said at the legislative hearing that it was staff at the state revenue department who advised the county on how to fix its initial error. But the department said it must abide by the statute to which an issue is tied, as a matter of policy.“The result of this policy can be classified as nothing less than administrative voter nullification and is repugnant to our democratic processes,” the county commissioners said.In hindsight, Smith said, the county should have taken the issue to court in 2015.“If anything unfortunate happened back in 2015, (it) is when Morton County and the Department of Revenue (were) dealing with this issue after the vote,” Smith said. “I think both parties sort of just shrugged their shoulders.”

Small Kansas county to sue state for $2M meant for local hospital

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for a shooting that took place in a parking lot over the summer.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2779/Marshall-Complaint-Red">Marvillie Marshall</a>&nbsp;,19, is charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 2nd Degree Assault, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2780/Marshall-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, a business reported to Kansas City police that a shooting had been captured on their surveillance cameras on June 29. Detectives reviewed the footage and saw about 150 vehicles in and around the business parking lot, then observed firearm muzzle flashes from two different guns. As people ran to their vehicles, a man, later identified as Marshall, wearing a gray hoodie, black Nike shoes, black jeans, and a full-face mask appeared from the top of the screen, running and hopping from east to west through the parking lot, shooting over multiple vehicles and about two dozen uninvolved parties.

 It appeared he was shooting with his left hand because his right hand looked injured, wrapped with medical supplies.&nbsp;

There were more than 100 shell casings recovered from the scene. There were no reported injuries.

Detectives were able to identify Marshall through social media, as he had a post with the exact clothing he was wearing during the incident and detectives had access to multiple videos of Marshall's injured arm/hand wrapped with the same medical supplies from the surveillance video.&nbsp;

Marshall had previously been identified by SAVE KC, but did not attend a call-in.&nbsp;

A Jackson County judge set a $25,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765560813883.png" alt="Marshall photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Marshall photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for a shooting that took place in a parking lot over the summer.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2779/Marshall-Complaint-Red">Marvillie Marshall</a>&nbsp;,19, is charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 2nd Degree Assault, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2780/Marshall-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, a business reported to Kansas City police that a shooting had been captured on their surveillance cameras on June 29. Detectives reviewed the footage and saw about 150 vehicles in and around the business parking lot, then observed firearm muzzle flashes from two different guns. As people ran to their vehicles, a man, later identified as Marshall, wearing a gray hoodie, black Nike shoes, black jeans, and a full-face mask appeared from the top of the screen, running and hopping from east to west through the parking lot, shooting over multiple vehicles and about two dozen uninvolved parties. It appeared he was shooting with his left hand because his right hand looked injured, wrapped with medical supplies.&nbsp;There were more than 100 shell casings recovered from the scene. There were no reported injuries.Detectives were able to identify Marshall through social media, as he had a post with the exact clothing he was wearing during the incident and detectives had access to multiple videos of Marshall's injured arm/hand wrapped with the same medical supplies from the surveillance video.&nbsp;Marshall had previously been identified by SAVE KC, but did not attend a call-in.&nbsp;A Jackson County judge set a $25,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

Social media helped police ID Kansas City parking lot shooting suspect

Another year, another crushing loss in the semifinal round of the NAIA Conference football championships for the Benedictine Ravens.

Benedictine battled the conditions, and a tough Grand View team, as the Ravens fell 17-10 in the NAIA Semifinals at Duke Williams Stadium to the Vikings for a second time this season. 

Though battling tough near the end, Head Coach Joel Osborn says he has no regrets.

"We had our opportunities, and that's the tough part about today," Osborn told reporters following the game.&nbsp; "And that happens in life, but I have no regrets, no regrets."

Coming into the matchup with certain goals though, such as winning the turnover battle, and achieving those, made Osborn proud

"I thought we came out, and they hit us in the mouth a little bit, we responded and really did a nice job the second half on defense being physical and shutting the running game down, got some really critical stops," Osborn explains.&nbsp; "And then offensively, we moved the ball, we just didn't quite finish in the redzone like we wanted to and just left a few to many plays out there."

It's the second time this season the Ravens lost to the Vikings, the top team in the NAIA Conference.&nbsp; It's been quite the run for the Ravens over the last two years, winning a combined 23 games and losing just five, and making back to back trips to the semifinals. 

It's a run that Osborn is proud that his team has been able to accomplish

"Like I told our players at the end there in our huddle is, when you set your sights on really high goals, disappointment can come with that, but getting here to the semifinals and the way this game went with Grand View, you're going toe to toe with a championship pedigree program, I'm just really proud of our effort," Osborn says.&nbsp;

Prior to last season, the Ravens had not made it to the semifinals since 2018, the last time the program also made it to a championship game. 

It was the defense that led to Benedictine's first score of the game. After Isaiah Hasten picked off Grand View's Jackson Waring at the Benedictine 18-yard line, the Ravens were able to covert the interception into a touchdown drive that was capped off by a four yard rushing touchdown from Xavier Ugorji.&nbsp;

Grand View answered to tie the game in the second quarter on a rushing touchdown of their own, a 35 yard break away run by Bryant Williams. That touchdown was followed by field goals from both teams, Christian Klobe converting a 30-yard field goal with just over three minutes left before the half to give Benedictine back the lead before Cory Wood knocked through a 31-yard field goal with 16 seconds left to send the game into halftime tied at 10.

The Vikings broke the tie with just over one minute left in the third quarter on an eight yard pass from Waring to Triston Williams for the go ahead touchdown in the second half, which turned into the only scoring the rest of the way.

Benedictine finished with 248 total yards on offense with 146 yards rushing and 102 yards passing. Ugorji finished with 64 yards off 22 carries while Dalton Witherspoon added 47 yards. Jackson Dooley finished with 102 yards on 11 of 22 passing while Joseph Lagafuaina was the leading receiver with 46 yards on three receptions.

Benedictine finishes the season 12-2, their only losses of the season coming to Grand View.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765687389152.png" alt="Benedictine senior quarterback Jackson Dooley was visibly upset after the Ravens fell to Grand View 17-10 in the NAIA Conference semifinals, the second consecutive year the Ravens fell in the semifinal round of the conference tournament/ Photo courtesy of Brett Kennedy-KQ2 Sports" />
 <figcaption>Benedictine senior quarterback Jackson Dooley was visibly upset after the Ravens fell to Grand View 17-10 in the NAIA Conference semifinals, the second consecutive year the Ravens fell in the semifinal round of the conference tournament/ Photo courtesy of Brett Kennedy-KQ2 Sports</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostAnother year, another crushing loss in the semifinal round of the NAIA Conference football championships for the Benedictine Ravens.Benedictine battled the conditions, and a tough Grand View team, as the Ravens fell 17-10 in the NAIA Semifinals at Duke Williams Stadium to the Vikings for a second time this season. Though battling tough near the end, Head Coach Joel Osborn says he has no regrets."We had our opportunities, and that's the tough part about today," Osborn told reporters following the game.&nbsp; "And that happens in life, but I have no regrets, no regrets."Coming into the matchup with certain goals though, such as winning the turnover battle, and achieving those, made Osborn proud"I thought we came out, and they hit us in the mouth a little bit, we responded and really did a nice job the second half on defense being physical and shutting the running game down, got some really critical stops," Osborn explains.&nbsp; "And then offensively, we moved the ball, we just didn't quite finish in the redzone like we wanted to and just left a few to many plays out there."It's the second time this season the Ravens lost to the Vikings, the top team in the NAIA Conference.&nbsp; It's been quite the run for the Ravens over the last two years, winning a combined 23 games and losing just five, and making back to back trips to the semifinals. It's a run that Osborn is proud that his team has been able to accomplish"Like I told our players at the end there in our huddle is, when you set your sights on really high goals, disappointment can come with that, but getting here to the semifinals and the way this game went with Grand View, you're going toe to toe with a championship pedigree program, I'm just really proud of our effort," Osborn says.&nbsp;Prior to last season, the Ravens had not made it to the semifinals since 2018, the last time the program also made it to a championship game. It was the defense that led to Benedictine's first score of the game. After Isaiah Hasten picked off Grand View's Jackson Waring at the Benedictine 18-yard line, the Ravens were able to covert the interception into a touchdown drive that was capped off by a four yard rushing touchdown from Xavier Ugorji.&nbsp;Grand View answered to tie the game in the second quarter on a rushing touchdown of their own, a 35 yard break away run by Bryant Williams. That touchdown was followed by field goals from both teams, Christian Klobe converting a 30-yard field goal with just over three minutes left before the half to give Benedictine back the lead before Cory Wood knocked through a 31-yard field goal with 16 seconds left to send the game into halftime tied at 10.The Vikings broke the tie with just over one minute left in the third quarter on an eight yard pass from Waring to Triston Williams for the go ahead touchdown in the second half, which turned into the only scoring the rest of the way.Benedictine finished with 248 total yards on offense with 146 yards rushing and 102 yards passing. Ugorji finished with 64 yards off 22 carries while Dalton Witherspoon added 47 yards. Jackson Dooley finished with 102 yards on 11 of 22 passing while Joseph Lagafuaina was the leading receiver with 46 yards on three receptions.Benedictine finishes the season 12-2, their only losses of the season coming to Grand View.

Benedictine has chance late, but falls in semifinals to Grand View 17-10

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Just after 11a.m. on December 7,&nbsp;a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2009 Hyundai Sonata that was heading southbound on U.S. Highway 75 near 126th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The driver of the vehicle, D’Angelo Martez Crosby, 44, of Sabetha, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia.

The passenger, Debbie Diane Shefferd, 68, of Sabetha, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765676785661.png" alt="Crosby photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Crosby photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.&nbsp;Just after 11a.m. on December 7,&nbsp;a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2009 Hyundai Sonata that was heading southbound on U.S. Highway 75 near 126th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The driver of the vehicle, D’Angelo Martez Crosby, 44, of Sabetha, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765676767563.png" alt="Shefferd photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Shefferd photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The passenger, Debbie Diane Shefferd, 68, of Sabetha, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas couple caught transporting cocaine, marijuana 

<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/alexcastro/">Alexander Castro</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

PROVIDENCE — Two people have died and several others were wounded in a mass shooting in a Brown University engineering building late Saturday afternoon, prompting a shelter in place alert on the Ivy League campus and a massive search for a gunman that continued into the evening.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed at a press conference that began shortly after 6:30 p.m. that at least two people were killed with “a minimum of eight” more injured and in critical condition “but stable at Rhode Island Hospital.”&nbsp;

Smiley could not disclose whether the victims were Brown students.

“These numbers may change,” Smiley said. “We are still in early hours.”&nbsp;

The shooting in the Barus and Holley building on Brook Street occurred as final exams were taking place between 2 and 5 p.m. inside Barus &amp; Holley Engineering, Provost Francis J. Doyle III said.

Providence Police Cmdr. Tim O’Hara described the suspect as a man who was wearing black. The suspect left the engineering building’s Hope Street side. O’Hara said that police did not know what type of gun was used.

Forensic and witness evidence were being used to identify the suspect, and the police were primarily relying on video evidence at the moment, O’Hara said.&nbsp;

“All I can give you is a male, all dressed in black, right now,” O’Hara said of the suspect.

The suspect walked away from the area, and law enforcement were unsure where he had gone as of 6:50 p.m.&nbsp;

Smiley said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also involved in the investigation.

Gov. Dan McKee spoke at the Saturday evening press briefing. “So, the unthinkable has happened,” McKee said.&nbsp;

Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva said the fire department was first alerted about the shooting at 4:05 p.m.&nbsp;

Brown sent out its first emergency alert at 4:22 p.m.,&nbsp;noting “an active shooter near Barus &amp; Holley Engineering.” The alert cautioned the campus community to lock doors, silence phones and “stay hidden until further notice.” The alert also advised the options of run, hide, or, “FIGHT, as a last resort.”

An update at 4:51 p.m. noted a suspect was in custody, only to be redacted in a 5:11 p.m. update that read, “Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).” The post also advised students to continue to shelter in place.&nbsp;

Smiley said at the press conference that the individual in the 4:51 p.m. update had been mistakenly connected to the incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At 5:27 p.m., another emergency alert reported shots fired near Governor Street.&nbsp;That update was also reversed at 6:10 p.m., which added that “a secondary shooting incident near Governor Street is unfounded.”&nbsp;

The erroneous update from 4:51 p.m. noting a suspect was in custody made its way to President Donald Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115714676658999589" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on his TruthSocial site at 5:44 p.m. that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was “on the scene.”

“The suspect is in custody,” Trump wrote. “God bless the victims and the families of the victims!”

At 6:03 p.m., Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115714751735035903" target="_blank">posted again</a>: “The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement — The suspect is NOT in custody.”

“We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims, but we are not able to share their condition,” the University wrote in a statement issued at 6:05 p.m. “They have been transported to local hospitals.”

The Brown emergency updates page first confirmed that there were “multiple shooting victims” at 6:05 p.m. The university could not share their conditions at the time, but noted they were “transported to local hospitals.”

Rescues and other apparatus from surrounding municipalities responded to the campus, including Bristol, Barrington, Central Falls, Cranston, Cumberland, Coventry, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Scituate, Smithfield, Warwick and Woonsocket.

At 6:17 p.m., a call cleared rescues to return to their home communities.

“Sadly, today is a day that the city of Providence, the state of Rhode Island, prayed would never come,” Smiley said. “We’ve heard about horrific acts of gun violence and active shooter situations in other places, but not here.”

Smiley, who lives in the area, told reporters he was at home watching the Providence College Friars when he saw police lights fill the surrounding neighborhood.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765666489718.png" alt="Photo courtesy WJAR TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WJAR TV</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/alexcastro/">Alexander Castro</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/janine-weisman/">Janine L. Weisman</a> <a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>PROVIDENCE — Two people have died and several others were wounded in a mass shooting in a Brown University engineering building late Saturday afternoon, prompting a shelter in place alert on the Ivy League campus and a massive search for a gunman that continued into the evening.Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed at a press conference that began shortly after 6:30 p.m. that at least two people were killed with “a minimum of eight” more injured and in critical condition “but stable at Rhode Island Hospital.”&nbsp;Smiley could not disclose whether the victims were Brown students.“These numbers may change,” Smiley said. “We are still in early hours.”&nbsp;The shooting in the Barus and Holley building on Brook Street occurred as final exams were taking place between 2 and 5 p.m. inside Barus &amp; Holley Engineering, Provost Francis J. Doyle III said.Providence Police Cmdr. Tim O’Hara described the suspect as a man who was wearing black. The suspect left the engineering building’s Hope Street side. O’Hara said that police did not know what type of gun was used.Forensic and witness evidence were being used to identify the suspect, and the police were primarily relying on video evidence at the moment, O’Hara said.&nbsp;“All I can give you is a male, all dressed in black, right now,” O’Hara said of the suspect.The suspect walked away from the area, and law enforcement were unsure where he had gone as of 6:50 p.m.&nbsp;Smiley said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also involved in the investigation.Gov. Dan McKee spoke at the Saturday evening press briefing. “So, the unthinkable has happened,” McKee said.&nbsp;Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva said the fire department was first alerted about the shooting at 4:05 p.m.&nbsp;Brown sent out its first emergency alert at 4:22 p.m.,&nbsp;noting “an active shooter near Barus &amp; Holley Engineering.” The alert cautioned the campus community to lock doors, silence phones and “stay hidden until further notice.” The alert also advised the options of run, hide, or, “FIGHT, as a last resort.”An update at 4:51 p.m. noted a suspect was in custody, only to be redacted in a 5:11 p.m. update that read, “Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).” The post also advised students to continue to shelter in place.&nbsp;Smiley said at the press conference that the individual in the 4:51 p.m. update had been mistakenly connected to the incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;At 5:27 p.m., another emergency alert reported shots fired near Governor Street.&nbsp;That update was also reversed at 6:10 p.m., which added that “a secondary shooting incident near Governor Street is unfounded.”&nbsp;The erroneous update from 4:51 p.m. noting a suspect was in custody made its way to President Donald Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115714676658999589" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on his TruthSocial site at 5:44 p.m. that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was “on the scene.”“The suspect is in custody,” Trump wrote. “God bless the victims and the families of the victims!”At 6:03 p.m., Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115714751735035903" target="_blank">posted again</a>: “The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement — The suspect is NOT in custody.”“We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims, but we are not able to share their condition,” the University wrote in a statement issued at 6:05 p.m. “They have been transported to local hospitals.”The Brown emergency updates page first confirmed that there were “multiple shooting victims” at 6:05 p.m. The university could not share their conditions at the time, but noted they were “transported to local hospitals.”Rescues and other apparatus from surrounding municipalities responded to the campus, including Bristol, Barrington, Central Falls, Cranston, Cumberland, Coventry, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Scituate, Smithfield, Warwick and Woonsocket.At 6:17 p.m., a call cleared rescues to return to their home communities.“Sadly, today is a day that the city of Providence, the state of Rhode Island, prayed would never come,” Smiley said. “We’ve heard about horrific acts of gun violence and active shooter situations in other places, but not here.”Smiley, who lives in the area, told reporters he was at home watching the Providence College Friars when he saw police lights fill the surrounding neighborhood.

2 killed, eight injured in mass shooting on Brown University campus

DAMASCUS– On Saturday, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. The gunman was engaged and also killed.

As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Department of War policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

DAMASCUS– On Saturday, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. The gunman was engaged and also killed.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> addresses the ISIS attack on U.S. forces in Syria: “We mourn the loss of 3 great patriots in Syria… we pray for them, and their parents, and their loved ones… We will retaliate.” <a href="https://t.co/S3BA8zxKAt">pic.twitter.com/S3BA8zxKAt</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1999919394495906290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria, two soldiers, and one Civilian Interpreter. Likewise, we pray for the three injured soldiers who, it has just been confirmed, are doing well. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous… <a href="https://t.co/uK3t5dlMfL">pic.twitter.com/uK3t5dlMfL</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1999917084424249674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces. Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. <a href="https://t.co/P7D9NrWpAL">https://t.co/P7D9NrWpAL</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1999882265355227392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Department of War policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.Updates will be provided as they become available.

Trump responds on Isis ambush that killed US soldiers in Syria

CHEROKEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 6a.m. Saturday in Cherokee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 Chevy Blazer driven by Meredith&nbsp;Wagner, 19, Columbus, was westbound on U.S. 400 two miles east of Baxter Springs. The SUV traveled off the road to the left. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle crossed over U.S. 400 off&nbsp; the road to the right, rolled and the driver&nbsp; was ejected.&nbsp;

Wagner was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Derfelt Funeral Home. She was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

CHEROKEE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 6a.m. Saturday in Cherokee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 Chevy Blazer driven by Meredith&nbsp;Wagner, 19, Columbus, was westbound on U.S. 400 two miles east of Baxter Springs. The SUV traveled off the road to the left. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle crossed over U.S. 400 off&nbsp; the road to the right, rolled and the driver&nbsp; was ejected.&nbsp;Wagner was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Derfelt Funeral Home. She was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman killed after ejected in rollover accident

MCPHERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in McPherson are investigating alleged child abuse and have made two arrests including a school teacher.

On Thursday morning, police in McPherson arrested 36-year-old Abby Bradstreet, an elementary school teacher in USD 418 McPherson, on requested charges of attempted aggravated endangering a chid; reckless situation involving a child under age 18 and abuse of a child; knowingly torture/cruelly beat; strike; kick a child between the age of 6 and 18, according to online jail records. Just after 12:30p.m. Thursday, Bradstreet, met the requirement of a $12,500 bond and was released, according to online jail records.

On Thursday afternoon, police also arrested 26-year-old Brady Burr, an employee of the McPherson Fire Department, on requested charges of aggravated endangering a child; reckless situation to a child under the age of 18 and for abuse of a child; knowingly torture/cruelly beat; strike; kick a child between the age of 6 and 18, according to online jail records. Burr was&nbsp;released 90 minutes after his arrest after he met the requirement of a $12,500 bond, according to online jail records.

Police released no additional details. The McPherson County Attorney will determine formal charges against them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765595766205.png" alt="Burr photo McPherson County" />
 <figcaption>Burr photo McPherson County</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in McPherson are investigating alleged child abuse and have made two arrests including a school teacher.On Thursday morning, police in McPherson arrested 36-year-old Abby Bradstreet, an elementary school teacher in USD 418 McPherson, on requested charges of attempted aggravated endangering a chid; reckless situation involving a child under age 18 and abuse of a child; knowingly torture/cruelly beat; strike; kick a child between the age of 6 and 18, according to online jail records. Just after 12:30p.m. Thursday, Bradstreet, met the requirement of a $12,500 bond and was released, according to online jail records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765595745383.png" alt="Bradstreet -photo McPherson Co." />
 <figcaption>Bradstreet -photo McPherson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday afternoon, police also arrested 26-year-old Brady Burr, an employee of the McPherson Fire Department, on requested charges of aggravated endangering a child; reckless situation to a child under the age of 18 and for abuse of a child; knowingly torture/cruelly beat; strike; kick a child between the age of 6 and 18, according to online jail records. Burr was&nbsp;released 90 minutes after his arrest after he met the requirement of a $12,500 bond, according to online jail records.Police released no additional details. The McPherson County Attorney will determine formal charges against them.

Kansas elementary school teacher among two accused of child abuse

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans released a health care bill Friday evening they hope will help curb rising costs, though the measure doesn’t have the level of Democratic support needed to get through the Senate.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20251215/FILE_3948.pdf" target="_blank">111-page bill</a>&nbsp;will likely move to the House floor next week, where Speaker Mike Johnson will need nearly every one of his members to vote to pass the legislation, an uphill battle given the vastly different views among centrists and far-right members of the party on health care issues.&nbsp;

The Louisiana Republican said in a statement the bill offers “clear, responsible alternatives that will lower premium costs and increase access and health care options for all Americans.”

Democrats have been pressing for a three-year extension of the enhanced tax credits for people who purchase their insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.&nbsp;

So far, House and Senate Republican leadership hasn’t gotten on board with any extension of those subsidies, arguing they have led to a sharp rise in the cost of health insurance.&nbsp;

GOP lawmakers have instead pursued their own legislation, but without at least some backing from Democrats, no bill will make it through the Senate’s 60-vote procedural hurdles.&nbsp;

Senate Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-hits-stalemate-solution-spiraling-health-insurance-costs" target="_blank">tried to advance</a>&nbsp;a bill earlier this week from Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo but fell short of the votes needed.&nbsp;

Democrats were also unsuccessful trying to move their bill to extend the ACA marketplace tax credits for three years.&nbsp;

The House Republican bill, sponsored by Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is unlikely to break the logjam in Congress over the rising cost of health insurance and health care, potentially leaving the issue as one the parties can debate leading up to next year’s midterm elections.&nbsp;

Targeting ‘real drivers’ of cost increases

Johnson rebuked Democrats in his statement for enacting the Affordable Care Act during President Barack Obama’s first term, saying the law hasn’t made health care cost less.&nbsp;

House Republicans’ new legislation, Johnson said, will address “the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care, increase access and choice, and restore integrity to our nation’s health care system for all Americans.”

The bill would require Pharmacy Benefit Managers “to provide employers with detailed data on prescription drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions—empowering plans and workers with the transparency they deserve,” according to a summary in Johnson’s release.&nbsp;

Starting in 2027, the legislation would appropriate funding for cost sharing reduction payments that the summary said would reduce health insurance premiums and stabilize the individual market.&nbsp;

The House Rules Committee is scheduled to prepare the bill for floor debate on Tuesday by considering whether to allow any amendments to be considered on the floor.&nbsp;

The full House will then debate the legislation later in the week before departing for the two-week holiday break.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office shortly after the bill was released, reiterated his preference that the federal government send payments directly to Americans.

“We want to give the money to the people and let the people buy their own great health care, and they’ll save a lot of money, and it’ll be great,” he said.

But Trump also appeared to signal he is going to stay out of negotiations in Congress, saying, “I leave it to them and hopefully they’re going to put great legislation on this desk right here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765625556088.png" alt="Speaker Johnson at the the White House Congressional Christmas Ball on Friday -image from his social media page" />
 <figcaption>Speaker Johnson at the the White House Congressional Christmas Ball on Friday -image from his social media page</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans released a health care bill Friday evening they hope will help curb rising costs, though the measure doesn’t have the level of Democratic support needed to get through the Senate.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20251215/FILE_3948.pdf" target="_blank">111-page bill</a>&nbsp;will likely move to the House floor next week, where Speaker Mike Johnson will need nearly every one of his members to vote to pass the legislation, an uphill battle given the vastly different views among centrists and far-right members of the party on health care issues.&nbsp;The Louisiana Republican said in a statement the bill offers “clear, responsible alternatives that will lower premium costs and increase access and health care options for all Americans.”Democrats have been pressing for a three-year extension of the enhanced tax credits for people who purchase their insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.&nbsp;So far, House and Senate Republican leadership hasn’t gotten on board with any extension of those subsidies, arguing they have led to a sharp rise in the cost of health insurance.&nbsp;GOP lawmakers have instead pursued their own legislation, but without at least some backing from Democrats, no bill will make it through the Senate’s 60-vote procedural hurdles.&nbsp;Senate Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-hits-stalemate-solution-spiraling-health-insurance-costs" target="_blank">tried to advance</a>&nbsp;a bill earlier this week from Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo but fell short of the votes needed.&nbsp;Democrats were also unsuccessful trying to move their bill to extend the ACA marketplace tax credits for three years.&nbsp;The House Republican bill, sponsored by Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is unlikely to break the logjam in Congress over the rising cost of health insurance and health care, potentially leaving the issue as one the parties can debate leading up to next year’s midterm elections.&nbsp;<h2>Targeting ‘real drivers’ of cost increases</h2>Johnson rebuked Democrats in his statement for enacting the Affordable Care Act during President Barack Obama’s first term, saying the law hasn’t made health care cost less.&nbsp;House Republicans’ new legislation, Johnson said, will address “the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care, increase access and choice, and restore integrity to our nation’s health care system for all Americans.”The bill would require Pharmacy Benefit Managers “to provide employers with detailed data on prescription drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions—empowering plans and workers with the transparency they deserve,” according to a summary in Johnson’s release.&nbsp;Starting in 2027, the legislation would appropriate funding for cost sharing reduction payments that the summary said would reduce health insurance premiums and stabilize the individual market.&nbsp;The House Rules Committee is scheduled to prepare the bill for floor debate on Tuesday by considering whether to allow any amendments to be considered on the floor.&nbsp;The full House will then debate the legislation later in the week before departing for the two-week holiday break.&nbsp;<h2>Trump wants direct payments</h2>President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office shortly after the bill was released, reiterated his preference that the federal government send payments directly to Americans.“We want to give the money to the people and let the people buy their own great health care, and they’ll save a lot of money, and it’ll be great,” he said.But Trump also appeared to signal he is going to stay out of negotiations in Congress, saying, “I leave it to them and hopefully they’re going to put great legislation on this desk right here.”

US House GOP preps health care bill for vote before new year

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged scam that cost a man $200,000 over several months this year.&nbsp;

In May, a 77-year-old Salina man received a phone call claiming he won a "MegaMillions lottery ticket and brand new vehicle," according to Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler on Friday.

The scammers told the man he needed pay a price for "legal fees and other reasons.

The man then sent $500 increments on various cash cards. As time passed, the man was then contacted by another individual stating the previous two callers were scammers. However, the caller told the man he needed to send money in order to recover the $500 previously sent.

The victim then sent an undetermined amount of money through cash cards to the new scammer. The scammer then persuaded him to purchase a new vehicle and then sell it. He was advised to then take the cash from the sold vehicle, and place it into a bank account.

As a result, the man could not find the money in the account after following through with the scammer’s instructions. The total loss resulted in over $200,000, according to Lt. Andrew Zeigler,

Police reminded the public to never believe anyone from a sudden phone call, stating you have won a lottery ticket and new a vehicle. It is a scam.

Additionally, if a caller informs you that the previous call was a scam and further states you need to send money to recover the funds you sent, it is a scam.&nbsp;It is a common scheme for scammers to work together to successfully follow through with the crime.&nbsp;

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged scam that cost a man $200,000 over several months this year.&nbsp;In May, a 77-year-old Salina man received a phone call claiming he won a "MegaMillions lottery ticket and brand new vehicle," according to Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler on Friday.The scammers told the man he needed pay a price for "legal fees and other reasons.The man then sent $500 increments on various cash cards. As time passed, the man was then contacted by another individual stating the previous two callers were scammers. However, the caller told the man he needed to send money in order to recover the $500 previously sent.The victim then sent an undetermined amount of money through cash cards to the new scammer. The scammer then persuaded him to purchase a new vehicle and then sell it. He was advised to then take the cash from the sold vehicle, and place it into a bank account.As a result, the man could not find the money in the account after following through with the scammer’s instructions. The total loss resulted in over $200,000, according to Lt. Andrew Zeigler,Police reminded the public to never believe anyone from a sudden phone call, stating you have won a lottery ticket and new a vehicle. It is a scam.Additionally, if a caller informs you that the previous call was a scam and further states you need to send money to recover the funds you sent, it is a scam.&nbsp;It is a common scheme for scammers to work together to successfully follow through with the crime.&nbsp;

Police: Kansas man lost $200,000 in phone scam

For the last two years, The Independent has documented a pattern of well-connected groups and individuals flooding the microbusiness lottery by recruiting people to submit applications and then offering them contracts that limit their profit and control of the business

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri cannabis regulators have routinely revoked microbusiness licenses for relying on contracts&nbsp;they’ve publicly characterized as “predatory.”&nbsp;

The state is hoping to put a stop to the turnover through<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/AdRules/moreg/2025/v50n24Dec15/v50n24.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;proposed rules</a>&nbsp;that will be open for public comment starting Monday through Jan. 14.&nbsp;

Regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/23/missouri-cannabis-regulators-announce-new-rules-to-target-predatory-contracts/">first introduced the rules&nbsp;</a>last December and have since held&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/11/missouri-cannabis-regulators-rules-predatory-contracts/">two&nbsp;</a>opportunities for public input, before submitting them to the Missouri Secretary of State in November.

The microbusiness program — sometimes called the social-equity cannabis program — was designed to boost opportunities in the industry for people in disadvantaged communities that have been most impacted by the war on drugs. It began in 2023, after passing as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022.

For&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">the last two years</a>, The Independent has documented a pattern of well-connected groups and individuals flooding the microbusiness lottery by recruiting people to submit applications and then offering them contracts that limit their profit and control of the business.&nbsp;

Of the 105 microbusiness licenses issued so far, 35 have been revoked, including 22 that involved contracts drafted by St. Louis-based Armstrong Teasdale law firm.

In order to prevent the continued cascade of revocations, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is proposing to adjust when its extensive application-review period occurs. The point when regulators would review questionable contracts would take place before the license is issued, instead of afterwards as it is now.

The rules would also be changed to clarify that “owners, agents or representatives” of a microbusiness application or license that regulators have denied or revoked would be prohibited from holding a voting or financial interest in any other microbusiness license.

The designated-contact role was envisioned as a way to ensure clear communication between the state and licensees. However, regulators found in their&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/23/alleged-predatory-contracts-continue-to-surface-in-missouri-social-equity-marijuana-program/">investigations</a>&nbsp;that designated contacts have kept the actual eligible applicants in the dark about business and license dealings. The new rules would require the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/17/new-rules-target-middlemen-in-missouri-cannabis-industry-to-prevent-predatory-practices/">designated contact&nbsp;</a>for a microbusiness applicant to be a majority owner of the microbusiness license.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to court documents, some applicants of the revoked licenses told regulators they were going to be “one of three managers,” leaving them without majority voting power in the business. And they did not demonstrate they had “a credible intent or ability to be the majority owner and operator” of the business, regulators found.

Under the new rules, “majority owned and operated” would be defined as the eligible individuals who are listed as having majority ownership must have a level of operational control that would be expected of an owner.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eligible individuals must have the power to order or direct the management, managers, and policies of the license, enter into agreements on behalf of the license, and otherwise make decisions for the business.

“A purported owner with little to no knowledge, control, agency or decision-making authority in an application or license does not meet the intent or meaning of the” constitutional amendment that created the microbusiness program, according to the press release the division issued when it introduced the rules last year.

Applicants would also be required to take an online training course that addresses predatory practices and funding opportunities.

The division expects to file the final version of rule amendments for formal rulemaking in early 2026, prior to the third round of&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fhealth.mo.gov%2Fsafety%2Fcannabis%2Fmicrobusiness.php/1/0100019a5ed2464f-34ba1344-0a31-472c-826e-d82977cebafa-000000/cK8c5iKQZe2eDpCNOI_DmJb-RlY_jAtfyh3KjZS2vSQ=430" target="_blank">microbusiness</a>&nbsp;licensing.

An investigation by The Independent in October revealed that the attorney who crafted most contracts at the heart of the recent license revocations also represents the marijuana industry trade group.

Eric Walter is a St. Louis-based attorney who represents the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association and a significant percentage of the state’s cannabis licensees.&nbsp;

He wrote 22 agreements the state believes would take the microbusiness licenses out of the hands of eligible applicants and put them into the hands of well-connected or out-of-state cannabis investors, according to the administrative appeal case documents obtained by The Independent.

Each of those agreements largely led to the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/15/missouri-cannabis-regulators-revoke-25-microbusiness-licenses/">state revoking a microbusiness license</a>&nbsp;issued last year for not meeting the constitutional mandate that the licenses be “<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/mb-ownership-structure-example.pdf" target="_blank">majority owned and operated</a>” by eligible applicants.&nbsp; All but one of the license revocations is being appealed to the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission.&nbsp;

To be&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/eligibility-micro.php" target="_blank">eligible for a microbusiness license</a>, applicants must meet certain criteria, including income below certain thresholds, having past marijuana offenses or being a disabled veteran.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26173560-farm-fantasies-llc-appeal/" target="_blank">contracts</a>&nbsp;written by Walter gave applicants two years to pay back loans that can total up to $2 million. If they couldn’t, they’d have to pay a “break-up fee” of up to $2.5 million or give up ownership of the license transfers to the loan holder, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26173568-farm-fantasies-dcr-answer/" target="_blank">state’s response</a>&nbsp;in several of the appeals.&nbsp;

“Therefore, the business would likely be unable to generate revenue to pay back the loan,” the state argues in one of the legal filing responding to a revocation appeal. “This leaves them no option but to convert the debt into ownership.”

In most cases, the same people involved in the consulting company that hired Armstrong Teasdale to draw up the contract are also involved in lending the money.

Walter’s law firm and the consulting companies who hired the firm to draw up the agreements have vehemently denied the contracts are predatory, arguing the applicants voluntarily signed them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765626316202.png" alt=" Of the 105 microbusiness licenses issued so far, 35 have been revoked, including 22 that involved contracts drafted by St. Louis-based Armstrong Teasdale law firm (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Of the 105 microbusiness licenses issued so far, 35 have been revoked, including 22 that involved contracts drafted by St. Louis-based Armstrong Teasdale law firm (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>For the last two years, The Independent has documented a pattern of well-connected groups and individuals flooding the microbusiness lottery by recruiting people to submit applications and then offering them contracts that limit their profit and control of the business</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri cannabis regulators have routinely revoked microbusiness licenses for relying on contracts&nbsp;they’ve publicly characterized as “predatory.”&nbsp;The state is hoping to put a stop to the turnover through<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/AdRules/moreg/2025/v50n24Dec15/v50n24.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;proposed rules</a>&nbsp;that will be open for public comment starting Monday through Jan. 14.&nbsp;Regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/23/missouri-cannabis-regulators-announce-new-rules-to-target-predatory-contracts/">first introduced the rules&nbsp;</a>last December and have since held&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/11/missouri-cannabis-regulators-rules-predatory-contracts/">two&nbsp;</a>opportunities for public input, before submitting them to the Missouri Secretary of State in November.The microbusiness program — sometimes called the social-equity cannabis program — was designed to boost opportunities in the industry for people in disadvantaged communities that have been most impacted by the war on drugs. It began in 2023, after passing as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022.For&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">the last two years</a>, The Independent has documented a pattern of well-connected groups and individuals flooding the microbusiness lottery by recruiting people to submit applications and then offering them contracts that limit their profit and control of the business.&nbsp;Of the 105 microbusiness licenses issued so far, 35 have been revoked, including 22 that involved contracts drafted by St. Louis-based Armstrong Teasdale law firm.In order to prevent the continued cascade of revocations, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is proposing to adjust when its extensive application-review period occurs. The point when regulators would review questionable contracts would take place before the license is issued, instead of afterwards as it is now.The rules would also be changed to clarify that “owners, agents or representatives” of a microbusiness application or license that regulators have denied or revoked would be prohibited from holding a voting or financial interest in any other microbusiness license.The designated-contact role was envisioned as a way to ensure clear communication between the state and licensees. However, regulators found in their&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/23/alleged-predatory-contracts-continue-to-surface-in-missouri-social-equity-marijuana-program/">investigations</a>&nbsp;that designated contacts have kept the actual eligible applicants in the dark about business and license dealings. The new rules would require the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/17/new-rules-target-middlemen-in-missouri-cannabis-industry-to-prevent-predatory-practices/">designated contact&nbsp;</a>for a microbusiness applicant to be a majority owner of the microbusiness license.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to court documents, some applicants of the revoked licenses told regulators they were going to be “one of three managers,” leaving them without majority voting power in the business. And they did not demonstrate they had “a credible intent or ability to be the majority owner and operator” of the business, regulators found.Under the new rules, “majority owned and operated” would be defined as the eligible individuals who are listed as having majority ownership must have a level of operational control that would be expected of an owner.&nbsp;&nbsp;Eligible individuals must have the power to order or direct the management, managers, and policies of the license, enter into agreements on behalf of the license, and otherwise make decisions for the business.“A purported owner with little to no knowledge, control, agency or decision-making authority in an application or license does not meet the intent or meaning of the” constitutional amendment that created the microbusiness program, according to the press release the division issued when it introduced the rules last year.Applicants would also be required to take an online training course that addresses predatory practices and funding opportunities.The division expects to file the final version of rule amendments for formal rulemaking in early 2026, prior to the third round of&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fhealth.mo.gov%2Fsafety%2Fcannabis%2Fmicrobusiness.php/1/0100019a5ed2464f-34ba1344-0a31-472c-826e-d82977cebafa-000000/cK8c5iKQZe2eDpCNOI_DmJb-RlY_jAtfyh3KjZS2vSQ=430" target="_blank">microbusiness</a>&nbsp;licensing.<h2>The contracts</h2>An investigation by The Independent in October revealed that the attorney who crafted most contracts at the heart of the recent license revocations also represents the marijuana industry trade group.Eric Walter is a St. Louis-based attorney who represents the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association and a significant percentage of the state’s cannabis licensees.&nbsp;He wrote 22 agreements the state believes would take the microbusiness licenses out of the hands of eligible applicants and put them into the hands of well-connected or out-of-state cannabis investors, according to the administrative appeal case documents obtained by The Independent.Each of those agreements largely led to the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/15/missouri-cannabis-regulators-revoke-25-microbusiness-licenses/">state revoking a microbusiness license</a>&nbsp;issued last year for not meeting the constitutional mandate that the licenses be “<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/mb-ownership-structure-example.pdf" target="_blank">majority owned and operated</a>” by eligible applicants.&nbsp; All but one of the license revocations is being appealed to the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission.&nbsp;To be&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/eligibility-micro.php" target="_blank">eligible for a microbusiness license</a>, applicants must meet certain criteria, including income below certain thresholds, having past marijuana offenses or being a disabled veteran.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26173560-farm-fantasies-llc-appeal/" target="_blank">contracts</a>&nbsp;written by Walter gave applicants two years to pay back loans that can total up to $2 million. If they couldn’t, they’d have to pay a “break-up fee” of up to $2.5 million or give up ownership of the license transfers to the loan holder, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26173568-farm-fantasies-dcr-answer/" target="_blank">state’s response</a>&nbsp;in several of the appeals.&nbsp;“Therefore, the business would likely be unable to generate revenue to pay back the loan,” the state argues in one of the legal filing responding to a revocation appeal. “This leaves them no option but to convert the debt into ownership.”In most cases, the same people involved in the consulting company that hired Armstrong Teasdale to draw up the contract are also involved in lending the money.Walter’s law firm and the consulting companies who hired the firm to draw up the agreements have vehemently denied the contracts are predatory, arguing the applicants voluntarily signed them.“Those documents are all transparent, fair, and compliant with Missouri law, including the Department of Health and Senior Services’ rules,” Jamie Moss, spokeswoman for Walter’s law firm, Armstrong Teasdale, said in an email to The Independent in October.Under the new rules, regulators will specifically ask for any business agreements related to the license “that affect ownership, control, or financial interests in cannabis operations,” including all management agreements, consulting agreements, partnership agreements, loans, “or other agreements whereby any entities stand to gain financially from the business.”