More than 1,000 industry leaders gathered at the MJ Unpacked Conference in St. Louis to address issues facing the cannabis market.&nbsp;

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

In less than two years of selling legal recreational weed, Missouri’s cannabis market has grown to $1.4 billion — outperforming states with a longer history of marijuana legalization like Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.

“Those are mature marketplaces, and you are surpassing them,” said Laurie Parfitt, CEO at LKP Impact Consulting. “Missouri is doing amazing things, and we expect tremendous growth in this market going forward.”

Parfitt gave a year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25282047-missouri-market-overview-mj-unpacked" target="_blank">overview</a>&nbsp;of Missouri’s cannabis market as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://mjunpacked.com/" target="_blank">MJ Unpacked Conference</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis last week, which brought together more than 1,000 industry leaders, regulators, investors and scientists to address issues facing the cannabis market.&nbsp;

To a ballroom packed with brand executives, Parfitt unveiled Missouri’s top consumer — it’s unsurprisingly a millennial man.&nbsp;

Men make up 64% of cannabis sales in Missouri and more than 40% of shoppers overall are millennials, or people between ages 28 and 43.

Gen X buyers (ages 44-59) make up 25% and Gen Z consumers, those between 21 and 27, are at 18%. Baby boomers make up the remaining 14%.&nbsp;

“When you really think about your marketplace, the majority of consumers are sitting in that millennial bracket,” she said. “And flower still dominates everything.”

Recreational cannabis sales in the first half of 2024 among all adult-use states

Nearly 50% of sales consists of flower — or what most would recognize as good old-fashion weed sold in a container.&nbsp;

“Flower is the 800-pound gorilla,” she said, “and it’s always going to be one of the biggest categories out there. It’s the major growth driver in this marketplace.”

That’s true among all age groups in Missouri. However among the younger generations, vape pens are a close second but edibles make up a small percentage of their shopping cart.&nbsp;

And it’s the complete opposite for the older generations, who are starting to buy more edibles. In fact, the largest consumers of edibles currently in Missouri are baby-boomer women.&nbsp;

The top five brands make up almost 27% of the state’s total sales. Those are Illicit Gardens, Good Day Farms, Codes, Amaze Cannabis and Vivid.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Parfitt’s presentation was based on sales from September 2023 to October 2024, compiled by the cannabis data platform company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.headset.io/" target="_blank">Headset</a>.

Missouri voters approved recreational cannabis in 2022, and sales began a few months later in February 2023.&nbsp;

Andrew Mullins, executive director of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, said Missouri looks different from other states’ markets after transitioning from selling only medical marijuana to adding recreational cannabis. Other states saw a surge in sales the first few months and then a pretty quick drop.&nbsp;

“We’ve been really surprised here in Missouri that it’s basically been almost the exact same, around $120 million every month all the way through,” Mullins said.&nbsp;

This summer, MoCann pointed to another study that showed Missouri had the fifth most recreational cannabis sales, $709 million, in the first half of 2024 among all adult-use states.&nbsp;

The report released by national cannabis business publication<a href="https://www.greenmarketreport.com/california-leads-the-industry-in-cannabis-sales-at-six-month-mark/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Green Market Report</a>, showed California leading the nation in legal cannabis sales, followed by Michigan, Illinois and Massachusetts, all states with larger populations and that legalized cannabis before Missouri.

And that growth translates to jobs, Mullins said. The state’s industry now employs more than 20,000 people, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/stats.php" target="_blank">Division of Cannabis Regulation’s October data&nbsp;</a>on cannabis employees or “agents” who’ve been licensed.

“We’re very fortunate for the economic impact that it’s created,” Mullins said, “and the jobs that it’s created.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731378737654.png" alt=" Laurie Parfitt, CEO at LKP Impact Consulting, gave an overview of Missouri’s cannabis sales from September 2023 to October 2024 at the MJ Unpacked Conference in St. Louis on Nov. 5. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> Laurie Parfitt, CEO at LKP Impact Consulting, gave an overview of Missouri’s cannabis sales from September 2023 to October 2024 at the MJ Unpacked Conference in St. Louis on Nov. 5. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More than 1,000 industry leaders gathered at the MJ Unpacked Conference in St. Louis to address issues facing the cannabis market.&nbsp;</h2>By REBECCA RIVAS &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>In less than two years of selling legal recreational weed, Missouri’s cannabis market has grown to $1.4 billion — outperforming states with a longer history of marijuana legalization like Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.“Those are mature marketplaces, and you are surpassing them,” said Laurie Parfitt, CEO at LKP Impact Consulting. “Missouri is doing amazing things, and we expect tremendous growth in this market going forward.”Parfitt gave a year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25282047-missouri-market-overview-mj-unpacked" target="_blank">overview</a>&nbsp;of Missouri’s cannabis market as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://mjunpacked.com/" target="_blank">MJ Unpacked Conference</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis last week, which brought together more than 1,000 industry leaders, regulators, investors and scientists to address issues facing the cannabis market.&nbsp;To a ballroom packed with brand executives, Parfitt unveiled Missouri’s top consumer — it’s unsurprisingly a millennial man.&nbsp;Men make up 64% of cannabis sales in Missouri and more than 40% of shoppers overall are millennials, or people between ages 28 and 43.Gen X buyers (ages 44-59) make up 25% and Gen Z consumers, those between 21 and 27, are at 18%. Baby boomers make up the remaining 14%.&nbsp;“When you really think about your marketplace, the majority of consumers are sitting in that millennial bracket,” she said. “And flower still dominates everything.”<h2>Recreational cannabis sales in the first half of 2024 among all adult-use states</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731378673125.png" alt=" Missouri had the fifth highest recreational cannabis sales, $709 million, in the first half of 2024 among all adult-use states, according to national cannabis business group Green Market Report. Graphic source: Green Market Report. " />
 <figcaption> Missouri had the fifth highest recreational cannabis sales, $709 million, in the first half of 2024 among all adult-use states, according to national cannabis business group Green Market Report. Graphic source: Green Market Report. </figcaption>
 </figure>Nearly 50% of sales consists of flower — or what most would recognize as good old-fashion weed sold in a container.&nbsp;“Flower is the 800-pound gorilla,” she said, “and it’s always going to be one of the biggest categories out there. It’s the major growth driver in this marketplace.”That’s true among all age groups in Missouri. However among the younger generations, vape pens are a close second but edibles make up a small percentage of their shopping cart.&nbsp;And it’s the complete opposite for the older generations, who are starting to buy more edibles. In fact, the largest consumers of edibles currently in Missouri are baby-boomer women.&nbsp;The top five brands make up almost 27% of the state’s total sales. Those are Illicit Gardens, Good Day Farms, Codes, Amaze Cannabis and Vivid.&nbsp;&nbsp;Parfitt’s presentation was based on sales from September 2023 to October 2024, compiled by the cannabis data platform company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.headset.io/" target="_blank">Headset</a>.Missouri voters approved recreational cannabis in 2022, and sales began a few months later in February 2023.&nbsp;Andrew Mullins, executive director of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, said Missouri looks different from other states’ markets after transitioning from selling only medical marijuana to adding recreational cannabis. Other states saw a surge in sales the first few months and then a pretty quick drop.&nbsp;“We’ve been really surprised here in Missouri that it’s basically been almost the exact same, around $120 million every month all the way through,” Mullins said.&nbsp;This summer, MoCann pointed to another study that showed Missouri had the fifth most recreational cannabis sales, $709 million, in the first half of 2024 among all adult-use states.&nbsp;The report released by national cannabis business publication<a href="https://www.greenmarketreport.com/california-leads-the-industry-in-cannabis-sales-at-six-month-mark/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Green Market Report</a>, showed California leading the nation in legal cannabis sales, followed by Michigan, Illinois and Massachusetts, all states with larger populations and that legalized cannabis before Missouri.And that growth translates to jobs, Mullins said. The state’s industry now employs more than 20,000 people, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/stats.php" target="_blank">Division of Cannabis Regulation’s October data&nbsp;</a>on cannabis employees or “agents” who’ve been licensed.“We’re very fortunate for the economic impact that it’s created,” Mullins said, “and the jobs that it’s created.”

Missouri’s $1.4 billion cannabis market outpaces states with older programs

The Amber Alert for a missing mother and her two daughters is canceled, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Law enforcement located them and they are safe. Authorities did not report an arrest or additional details.

LACLEDE COUNTY —The&nbsp;Missouri State Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert Monday to help locate a Missouri mother identified as&nbsp;22-year-old Yajayra Suleyma Molina-Ya and her two daughters 7-year-old Irma Rubi Mo-Moralis and 7-year-old Rosana Michel Mo-Molina.

According to the Amber Alert, the mother and her two children left their home in O'Fallon, Missouri, on Sunday at 6 p.m. with two unknown men.

At 10:45 p.m., the report says the mother was separated from her children against her will and into a red pickup truck.

The children were last seen in a black sport utility vehicle. The make, model, license plate number and direction of travel are unknown.

The mother's cell phone was last pinged in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Monday morning at 1:30 a.m., according to the alert.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731340145698.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Amber Alert for a missing mother and her two daughters is canceled, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Law enforcement located them and they are safe. Authorities did not report an arrest or additional details.----------------LACLEDE COUNTY —The&nbsp;Missouri State Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert Monday to help locate a Missouri mother identified as&nbsp;22-year-old Yajayra Suleyma Molina-Ya and her two daughters 7-year-old Irma Rubi Mo-Moralis and 7-year-old Rosana Michel Mo-Molina.According to the Amber Alert, the mother and her two children left their home in O'Fallon, Missouri, on Sunday at 6 p.m. with two unknown men.At 10:45 p.m., the report says the mother was separated from her children against her will and into a red pickup truck.The children were last seen in a black sport utility vehicle. The make, model, license plate number and direction of travel are unknown.The mother's cell phone was last pinged in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Monday morning at 1:30 a.m., according to the alert.

Amber Alert canceled: Mo. mom, two 7-year-old daughters located

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump late Sunday announced he will appoint Tom Homan as “border czar” in his administration as Trump seeks to carry out his campaign commitment of mass deportations of immigrants who lack permanent legal status.

Homan is the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the previous Trump administration who backed the controversial “zero tolerance” policy that separated families at the southern border.

Homan will have authority over the southern border, northern border, the maritime border and aviation security, according to a post from Trump’s social media site, Truth Social. Trump did not in the social media post specify what exact government post Homan would occupy.

“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders,” Trump said. “I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job.”

Another former Trump official who played a heavy role in immigration policy, Stephen Miller, will be appointed as&nbsp;White House deputy chief of staff for policy,<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/politics/stephen-miller-trump-administration/index.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;according to CNN.</a>&nbsp;Vice president-elect J.D. Vance&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JDVance/status/1856004703672324263" target="_blank">congratulated Miller on X</a>, formerly known as Twitter.&nbsp;

As the incoming Trump administration<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/08/dc/immigration-groups-brace-for-a-second-trump-administration/">&nbsp;plans to carry out mass deportations&nbsp;</a>of people without proper legal status, Trump said Homan will be in charge of sending deported people back to their countries of origin. In order for that to happen, the country of origin must agree to accept those people the United States wants to deport.

Homan served as acting director of ICE from 2017 to 2018. In a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tom-homan-trump-border-czar-what-to-know/" target="_blank">interview with CBS News</a>, he said that deportations would be targeted.

“It’s going to be a well-targeted, planned operation conducted by the men of ICE. The men and women of ICE do this daily. They’re good at it,” Homan said. “When we go out there, we’re going to know who we’re looking for. We most likely know where they’re going to be, and it’s going to be done in a humane manner.”

<a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/CSG-Immigration-Status-Brief.pdf" target="_blank">There are more than 14.4 million individuals</a>&nbsp;who live in mixed status families, meaning that at least one member has a different legal status. During the interview, Homan was asked if mass deportations could happen without separating families.

“Of course there is,” he said. “Families can be deported together.”

<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/10/16/harris-campaign-stresses-the-threat-that-donald-trump-is-to-latino-communities/" target="_blank">Under the 2018 “zero tolerance” policy,&nbsp;</a>at least 5,000 migrant families were separated. The Department of Homeland Security has reunited about 74% of those families, but there are still&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/02/02/fact-sheet-review-family-reunification-task-force-second-anniversary-its" target="_blank">998 children who have not been reunited</a>.

Trump has previously declined to say whether he would resume family separations in a second term.

“Well, when you have that policy, people don’t come. If a family hears that they’re going to be separated, they love their family. They don’t come. So I know it sounds harsh,” Trump said during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/11/politics/transcript-cnn-town-hall-trump/index.html" target="_blank">a CNN town hall in May 2023.&nbsp;</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731330577014.png" alt="Tom Homan during his speech at the Republican National Convention-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Tom Homan during his speech at the Republican National Convention-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump late Sunday announced he will appoint Tom Homan as “border czar” in his administration as Trump seeks to carry out his campaign commitment of mass deportations of immigrants who lack permanent legal status.Homan is the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the previous Trump administration who backed the controversial “zero tolerance” policy that separated families at the southern border.Homan will have authority over the southern border, northern border, the maritime border and aviation security, according to a post from Trump’s social media site, Truth Social. Trump did not in the social media post specify what exact government post Homan would occupy.“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders,” Trump said. “I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job.”Another former Trump official who played a heavy role in immigration policy, Stephen Miller, will be appointed as&nbsp;White House deputy chief of staff for policy,<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/politics/stephen-miller-trump-administration/index.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;according to CNN.</a>&nbsp;Vice president-elect J.D. Vance&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JDVance/status/1856004703672324263" target="_blank">congratulated Miller on X</a>, formerly known as Twitter.&nbsp;As the incoming Trump administration<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/08/dc/immigration-groups-brace-for-a-second-trump-administration/">&nbsp;plans to carry out mass deportations&nbsp;</a>of people without proper legal status, Trump said Homan will be in charge of sending deported people back to their countries of origin. In order for that to happen, the country of origin must agree to accept those people the United States wants to deport.Homan served as acting director of ICE from 2017 to 2018. In a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tom-homan-trump-border-czar-what-to-know/" target="_blank">interview with CBS News</a>, he said that deportations would be targeted.“It’s going to be a well-targeted, planned operation conducted by the men of ICE. The men and women of ICE do this daily. They’re good at it,” Homan said. “When we go out there, we’re going to know who we’re looking for. We most likely know where they’re going to be, and it’s going to be done in a humane manner.”<a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/CSG-Immigration-Status-Brief.pdf" target="_blank">There are more than 14.4 million individuals</a>&nbsp;who live in mixed status families, meaning that at least one member has a different legal status. During the interview, Homan was asked if mass deportations could happen without separating families.“Of course there is,” he said. “Families can be deported together.”<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/10/16/harris-campaign-stresses-the-threat-that-donald-trump-is-to-latino-communities/" target="_blank">Under the 2018 “zero tolerance” policy,&nbsp;</a>at least 5,000 migrant families were separated. The Department of Homeland Security has reunited about 74% of those families, but there are still&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/02/02/fact-sheet-review-family-reunification-task-force-second-anniversary-its" target="_blank">998 children who have not been reunited</a>.Trump has previously declined to say whether he would resume family separations in a second term.“Well, when you have that policy, people don’t come. If a family hears that they’re going to be separated, they love their family. They don’t come. So I know it sounds harsh,” Trump said during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/11/politics/transcript-cnn-town-hall-trump/index.html" target="_blank">a CNN town hall in May 2023.&nbsp;</a>

Trump taps former acting ICE director as his new ‘border czar'

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp; honored veterans on Monday with a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.&nbsp;It is the first time the President and Vice President have been seen together since before the election.

Click below to watch President Biden's remarks at Arlington National Cemetery’s amphitheater.

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp; honored veterans on Monday with a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.&nbsp;It is the first time the President and Vice President have been seen together since before the election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden participates in a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at <a href="https://twitter.com/ArlingtonNatl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArlingtonNatl</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VeteransDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VeteransDay</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Rsfyd4aXLq">pic.twitter.com/Rsfyd4aXLq</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1856009432422822265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Click below to watch President Biden's remarks at Arlington National Cemetery’s amphitheater.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1802956127113768%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=3222" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥Harris joins Biden for wreath-laying at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Scotland County Hospital’s board chair was ‘less than creditable’ in testimony that she was responding to a financial crisis that could have closed the hospital.

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 judge on Friday found a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/14/scotland-county-missouri-hospital-corruption-firings-turmoil/">northeast Missouri hospital board</a>&nbsp;guilty of “gross violations” of the Sunshine Law and voided all the actions taken during illegal closed meetings in August 2022.

<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment_FINAL.pdf?courtCode=01&amp;di=533191" target="_blank">Circuit Judge Rick Roberts also ruled</a>&nbsp;that Scotland County Hospital must also pay a civil fine of $5,000 and attorneys fees to its former CEO, Dr. Randy Tobler.

Tobler sued the hospital in March 2023, alleging he had been slandered, the target of a conspiracy to remove him and that the board vote to fire him was done at a meeting that violated the Sunshine Law. The slander and conspiracy counts were dismissed from his lawsuit and a trial was held in September on the Sunshine Law violations.

While Tobler’s attorney, Lowell Pearson, didn’t explicitly ask for attorney fees during the trial, Roberts wrote that he would award them.

“Refusing to award attorney fees for the time spent in obtaining the judgment would thwart the purpose of the Sunshine Law,” Roberts wrote.

In an interview, Pearson said the ruling was everything Tobler asked for.

“This is a total victory for Dr. Tobler and complete vindication for him that the actions of the hospital were unlawful,” Pearson said.

“I appreciate Judge Roberts issuing a thoughtful, careful and thorough decision,” he said. “It provides vindication for me and establishes accountability for the hospital’s illegal, knowing and purposeful violation of Missouri Sunshine Law.”

Tobler said he is examining with Pearson whether to refile the defamation count in the case.

The area’s residents, he said, “deserve hospital leadership that can be trusted in providing the essential healthcare needs of the community.”

In a statement sent Sunday, hospital CEO Megan Weber said the hospital is disappointed with the ruling.

“The board continues to still feel strongly that the hospital did not knowingly or purposefully violate the Sunshine Law, and are examining our options with regards to any appeal,” Weber said.

The case focused on two meetings held Aug. 15 and 16, 2022. The first was held at the home of Lori Fulk, board chair, with only four of the board’s six members present. Fulk did not post a public notice of the meeting, the two board absent members were not notified and Tobler was not given any notice, Roberts found.

Holding the meeting at Fulks house violated the hospital district bylaws, Roberts wrote. Failing to inform all board members or the public violated the Sunshine Law.

At the meeting, the board members present voted to fire Tobler and chief financial officer Michael Brandon.

During the trial, Roberts wrote, Fulk testified that the hospital was “facing an immediate financial collapse so immediate that she felt the hospital only had days if not hours before it closed.”

Scotland County Hospital serves 12,300 people in five counties. It is located in Memphis, a town of about 1,700 people. The hospital was losing money, but had $8.2 million in cash on hand at the beginning of 2022, an audit shows. The morning of Aug. 16, rumors started spreading in Memphis that Tobler had embezzled money from the hospital.

Tobler, an obstetrician and gynecologist, had been CEO of the hospital since 2014. The vote to fire him disrupted an orderly transition because he had already submitted his resignation effective Sept. 3, 2022.

If Fulk was truthful when she said the hospital had a severe financial crisis, the logical step would be to have the entire board meet with the CEO and the chief financial officer, Roberts wrote.&nbsp;

But Fulk was “less than creditable” in her testimony, Roberts wrote.

“The selection of the members to attend clearly demonstrates that the purpose of this meeting was not the alleged financial crisis but was to focus on how to remove certain officers from the organization,” he wrote.

All board members were present for the Aug. 16 closed meeting, which was held at the hospital on short notice to the members and no notice to the public.

“Whatever her agenda was in August 2022 she knew she wanted to limit the persons informed of and who could participate in the meetings of August 15 and 16, 2022, and the only way to get what she wanted was by a gross violation of the Sunshine Law, which is exactly what she did,” Roberts wrote.

The language Roberts used is some of the strongest he has seen about a witness, Pearson said.

“It’s unusual for a judge to make a credibility finding that is that stark,” he said. “That’s a pretty unusually explicit way for the court to say that he found a witness to not be credible.”

The decision will not result in Tobler’s reinstatement as CEO, Weber said Sunday. The board voted to fire him at its Aug. 30, 2022 meeting that met the requirements of the Sunshine Law, she said.

Brandon has not sued over his firing and his status after Roberts’ decision is unclear.

Another case stemming from the same time is also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=23SE-CC00022&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT01#header" target="_blank">pending before Roberts</a>. Terri Schmitt, who was the human resources officer of the hospital, was fired Aug. 17, 2022, by Weber, named CEO at the Aug. 16 meeting.

Schmitt, who was 59 at the time of her firing, is suing for age discrimination and violation of her employment contract, which required 90 days notice of termination. The case is expected to go to trial sometime next year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731333437420.png" alt="Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Scotland County Hospital’s board chair was ‘less than creditable’ in testimony that she was responding to a financial crisis that could have closed the hospital.</h2>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 judge on Friday found a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/14/scotland-county-missouri-hospital-corruption-firings-turmoil/">northeast Missouri hospital board</a>&nbsp;guilty of “gross violations” of the Sunshine Law and voided all the actions taken during illegal closed meetings in August 2022.<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Judgment_FINAL.pdf?courtCode=01&amp;di=533191" target="_blank">Circuit Judge Rick Roberts also ruled</a>&nbsp;that Scotland County Hospital must also pay a civil fine of $5,000 and attorneys fees to its former CEO, Dr. Randy Tobler.Tobler sued the hospital in March 2023, alleging he had been slandered, the target of a conspiracy to remove him and that the board vote to fire him was done at a meeting that violated the Sunshine Law. The slander and conspiracy counts were dismissed from his lawsuit and a trial was held in September on the Sunshine Law violations.While Tobler’s attorney, Lowell Pearson, didn’t explicitly ask for attorney fees during the trial, Roberts wrote that he would award them.“Refusing to award attorney fees for the time spent in obtaining the judgment would thwart the purpose of the Sunshine Law,” Roberts wrote.In an interview, Pearson said the ruling was everything Tobler asked for.“This is a total victory for Dr. Tobler and complete vindication for him that the actions of the hospital were unlawful,” Pearson said.The decision is gratifying, Tobler said.“I appreciate Judge Roberts issuing a thoughtful, careful and thorough decision,” he said. “It provides vindication for me and establishes accountability for the hospital’s illegal, knowing and purposeful violation of Missouri Sunshine Law.”Tobler said he is examining with Pearson whether to refile the defamation count in the case.The area’s residents, he said, “deserve hospital leadership that can be trusted in providing the essential healthcare needs of the community.”In a statement sent Sunday, hospital CEO Megan Weber said the hospital is disappointed with the ruling.“The board continues to still feel strongly that the hospital did not knowingly or purposefully violate the Sunshine Law, and are examining our options with regards to any appeal,” Weber said.The case focused on two meetings held Aug. 15 and 16, 2022. The first was held at the home of Lori Fulk, board chair, with only four of the board’s six members present. Fulk did not post a public notice of the meeting, the two board absent members were not notified and Tobler was not given any notice, Roberts found.Holding the meeting at Fulks house violated the hospital district bylaws, Roberts wrote. Failing to inform all board members or the public violated the Sunshine Law.At the meeting, the board members present voted to fire Tobler and chief financial officer Michael Brandon.During the trial, Roberts wrote, Fulk testified that the hospital was “facing an immediate financial collapse so immediate that she felt the hospital only had days if not hours before it closed.”Scotland County Hospital serves 12,300 people in five counties. It is located in Memphis, a town of about 1,700 people. The hospital was losing money, but had $8.2 million in cash on hand at the beginning of 2022, an audit shows. The morning of Aug. 16, rumors started spreading in Memphis that Tobler had embezzled money from the hospital.Tobler, an obstetrician and gynecologist, had been CEO of the hospital since 2014. The vote to fire him disrupted an orderly transition because he had already submitted his resignation effective Sept. 3, 2022.If Fulk was truthful when she said the hospital had a severe financial crisis, the logical step would be to have the entire board meet with the CEO and the chief financial officer, Roberts wrote.&nbsp;But Fulk was “less than creditable” in her testimony, Roberts wrote.“The selection of the members to attend clearly demonstrates that the purpose of this meeting was not the alleged financial crisis but was to focus on how to remove certain officers from the organization,” he wrote.All board members were present for the Aug. 16 closed meeting, which was held at the hospital on short notice to the members and no notice to the public.“Whatever her agenda was in August 2022 she knew she wanted to limit the persons informed of and who could participate in the meetings of August 15 and 16, 2022, and the only way to get what she wanted was by a gross violation of the Sunshine Law, which is exactly what she did,” Roberts wrote.The language Roberts used is some of the strongest he has seen about a witness, Pearson said.“It’s unusual for a judge to make a credibility finding that is that stark,” he said. “That’s a pretty unusually explicit way for the court to say that he found a witness to not be credible.”The decision will not result in Tobler’s reinstatement as CEO, Weber said Sunday. The board voted to fire him at its Aug. 30, 2022 meeting that met the requirements of the Sunshine Law, she said.Brandon has not sued over his firing and his status after Roberts’ decision is unclear.Another case stemming from the same time is also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=23SE-CC00022&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT01#header" target="_blank">pending before Roberts</a>. Terri Schmitt, who was the human resources officer of the hospital, was fired Aug. 17, 2022, by Weber, named CEO at the Aug. 16 meeting.Schmitt, who was 59 at the time of her firing, is suing for age discrimination and violation of her employment contract, which required 90 days notice of termination. The case is expected to go to trial sometime next year.

Judge voids actions of illegal board meetings at north Missouri hospital

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement asked the public to be on the alert.

Someone broke in and stole almost $60,000 worth of property from Waldo T-Shirts,&nbsp;1111 E 73rd St, Kansas City, the weekend of Oct. 18, according to a social media report from Kansas City Police.

Gone are valuable Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky collector cards, antique comic books, laptops, and autographed sports t-shirts.

Detectives are investigating, and if you have information, contact Metro Property Crimes at 816-413-3406 or visit <a href="https://t.co/gULWXwQkBQ" target="_blank">http://kccrimestoppers.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730483371715.png" alt="images KCPD" />
 <figcaption>images KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement asked the public to be on the alert.Someone broke in and stole almost $60,000 worth of property from Waldo T-Shirts,&nbsp;1111 E 73rd St, Kansas City, the weekend of Oct. 18, according to a social media report from Kansas City Police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730483350414.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gone are valuable Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky collector cards, antique comic books, laptops, and autographed sports t-shirts.Detectives are investigating, and if you have information, contact Metro Property Crimes at 816-413-3406 or visit <a href="https://t.co/gULWXwQkBQ" target="_blank">http://kccrimestoppers.com</a>.

KCPD: $60,000 in collectibles stolen from Kansas City store

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a series of homicides over the weekend in Kansas City.

Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 75th and Paseo, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

First responders were directed towards a vehicle that was stopped in the southbound lanes of Paseo. As they approached the vehicle, they located a shooting victim later identified as 66-year-old Dennis R. Griffin unresponsive inside the vehicle. Officers rendered aid until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported Griffin to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. At the hospital he was declared deceased, according to Becchina.

Just after 6p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 2700 block of Garfield, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

First responders were directed into a residence on the block there. Inside that residence officers located an adult male shooting victim unresponsive. Officers summoned EMS into the scene who declared the victim deceased.There were multiple individuals at the scene when officers arrived.

One of those, an adult male, was detained as a subject of interest for further investigation.

On Sunday, officers responded to the area of&nbsp; Truman and Ewing on a shooting, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte.&nbsp; A male victim was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; Police did did have not released his name or report an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731123731422.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a series of homicides over the weekend in Kansas City.Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 75th and Paseo, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.First responders were directed towards a vehicle that was stopped in the southbound lanes of Paseo. As they approached the vehicle, they located a shooting victim later identified as 66-year-old Dennis R. Griffin unresponsive inside the vehicle. Officers rendered aid until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported Griffin to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. At the hospital he was declared deceased, according to Becchina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731289601993.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 6p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 2700 block of Garfield, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.First responders were directed into a residence on the block there. Inside that residence officers located an adult male shooting victim unresponsive. Officers summoned EMS into the scene who declared the victim deceased.There were multiple individuals at the scene when officers arrived.One of those, an adult male, was detained as a subject of interest for further investigation.On Sunday, officers responded to the area of&nbsp; Truman and Ewing on a shooting, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte.&nbsp; A male victim was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; Police did did have not released his name or report an arrest.

Deadly weekend: Police respond to 3 killings in Kansas City

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A three hour standoff at 9th and Delaware in Lawrence ended safely Sunday morning, according to Lawrence Police.

Just after 5;30a.m. a neighbor called after hearing a gunshot. When officers arrived they heard another shot from inside. The man would not come out of 2nd floor apartment. 

 Officers checked on residents attached to the apartment to be sure no one was hit while negotiating with the man.&nbsp; About 8:30a.m., a team eventually entered the apartment and safely arrested him without injury. Police did not release the name of the suspect or possible charges.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A three hour standoff at 9th and Delaware in Lawrence ended safely Sunday morning, according to Lawrence Police.Just after 5;30a.m. a neighbor called after hearing a gunshot. When officers arrived they heard another shot from inside. The man would not come out of 2nd floor apartment. Officers checked on residents attached to the apartment to be sure no one was hit while negotiating with the man.&nbsp; About 8:30a.m., a team eventually entered the apartment and safely arrested him without injury. Police did not release the name of the suspect or possible charges.

Kan. man jailed after gunshots, 3-hour standoff at apartment

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an armed disturbance that injured an man on a construction site.

Just after 8:30p.m. November 7, police were dispatched to an armed disturbance in the area of West 167th&nbsp;Street and South US 169 Highway in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant&nbsp;John Moncayo.

A reporting party stated unknown subjects dressed in all black and armed with handguns entered a warehouse under construction. It was also reported that there was an employee inside that was tied up. Officers arrived and secured the perimeter of the warehouse. The adult male employee was subsequently located, and officers were able to safely remove him from the scene. The man was treated by medical personnel for non-life-threatening injuries.

A search of the warehouse was completed, and no one was located inside. The police department is currently following up on active leads.

This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an armed disturbance that injured an man on a construction site.Just after 8:30p.m. November 7, police were dispatched to an armed disturbance in the area of West 167th&nbsp;Street and South US 169 Highway in Olathe, according to Police Sergeant&nbsp;John Moncayo.A reporting party stated unknown subjects dressed in all black and armed with handguns entered a warehouse under construction. It was also reported that there was an employee inside that was tied up. Officers arrived and secured the perimeter of the warehouse. The adult male employee was subsequently located, and officers were able to safely remove him from the scene. The man was treated by medical personnel for non-life-threatening injuries.A search of the warehouse was completed, and no one was located inside. The police department is currently following up on active leads.This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

Police: Gunmen tied up employee at Kan. warehouse under construction

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

Republican and Democratic lawmakers gathered in Jefferson City last week to choose new leaders for the upcoming legislative session in January.&nbsp;

In the Senate, where GOP infighting has caused&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/23/missouri-freedom-caucus-leaders-ousted-from-senate-chairmanships-over-stall-tactics/">unending gridlock for the last few years</a>, Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin was chosen by her caucus to be president pro tem — the highest ranking job in the chamber.&nbsp;

O’Laughlin, of Shelbina, is the first woman to ever hold that position in Missouri. She previously served as Senate majority leader.&nbsp;

“I am deeply honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me to serve as president pro tem of the Missouri Senate,” O’Laughlin said in a statement to the media.&nbsp;

She hinted at the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/17/a-bizarre-session-missouri-lawmakers-head-home-after-year-defined-by-gridlock-infighting/">chaos the Senate has endured</a>&nbsp;in her statement, saying her focus will be on “fostering a Senate that works in harmony, respecting our common goals and building on the strengths of each member while ensuring we keep our promises to the people of Missouri.”

As president pro tem, O’Laughlin is in charge of appointing committee members, assigning legislation to committees and ruling on points of order raised during debate in the Senate Chamber, among other legislative duties.

Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville was chosen to be the Senate majority leader, a job that gives him authority over the chamber’s debate calendar, as well as setting session meeting times and dates.

Luetkemeyer is not a member of the Senate Freedom Caucus — the group of GOP senators who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/02/freedom-caucuses-push-for-conservative-state-laws-but-getting-attention-is-their-big-success/">quarreled with the chamber’s leadership</a>&nbsp;and used Senate rules to muck up the legislative process. But he was the caucus’ preferred choice for majority leader, raising hopes among Republicans that the inter-party warfare is a thing of the past.&nbsp;

Democrats tapped Sen. Doug Beck of Affton to serve as minority floor leader and Sen. Steve Roberts of St. Louis as assistant minority floor leader.&nbsp;

In the House, Republicans followed the line of succession they set earlier this year and elevated Rep. Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit to speaker and Rep. Alex Riley of Springfield to majority leader.&nbsp;

“We have achieved many significant accomplishments over the past few years,” Riley said, “but there’s much more to be done.”

Democrats chose Rep. Ashley Aune of Kansas City to be the next minority leader. She takes over from Rep. Crystal Quade of Springfield, who has held the post for six years but will leave the House in January due to term limits.&nbsp;

Aune promised to “build upon the foundation my predecessor has established.”

“I didn’t run as a Democrat in a deep red state because I thought it would be a cakewalk,” she said. “I ran because I want to help make our party stronger and build a Democratic movement that truly reflects the values of Missourians. The challenges are real, but so is our resolve.”

Republicans will enter the next legislative session in January with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/status-quo-election-leaves-missouri-republicans-with-legislative-supermajorities/">supermajorities in the House and Senate</a>.&nbsp;

The party will have 24 of the Senate’s 34 seats and 111 of the 163 House seats.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731280769910.png" alt="Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican Shelbina, talks with reporters May (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican Shelbina, talks with reporters May (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Republican and Democratic lawmakers gathered in Jefferson City last week to choose new leaders for the upcoming legislative session in January.&nbsp;In the Senate, where GOP infighting has caused&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/23/missouri-freedom-caucus-leaders-ousted-from-senate-chairmanships-over-stall-tactics/">unending gridlock for the last few years</a>, Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin was chosen by her caucus to be president pro tem — the highest ranking job in the chamber.&nbsp;O’Laughlin, of Shelbina, is the first woman to ever hold that position in Missouri. She previously served as Senate majority leader.&nbsp;“I am deeply honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me to serve as president pro tem of the Missouri Senate,” O’Laughlin said in a statement to the media.&nbsp;She hinted at the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/17/a-bizarre-session-missouri-lawmakers-head-home-after-year-defined-by-gridlock-infighting/">chaos the Senate has endured</a>&nbsp;in her statement, saying her focus will be on “fostering a Senate that works in harmony, respecting our common goals and building on the strengths of each member while ensuring we keep our promises to the people of Missouri.”As president pro tem, O’Laughlin is in charge of appointing committee members, assigning legislation to committees and ruling on points of order raised during debate in the Senate Chamber, among other legislative duties.Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville was chosen to be the Senate majority leader, a job that gives him authority over the chamber’s debate calendar, as well as setting session meeting times and dates.Luetkemeyer is not a member of the Senate Freedom Caucus — the group of GOP senators who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/02/freedom-caucuses-push-for-conservative-state-laws-but-getting-attention-is-their-big-success/">quarreled with the chamber’s leadership</a>&nbsp;and used Senate rules to muck up the legislative process. But he was the caucus’ preferred choice for majority leader, raising hopes among Republicans that the inter-party warfare is a thing of the past.&nbsp;Democrats tapped Sen. Doug Beck of Affton to serve as minority floor leader and Sen. Steve Roberts of St. Louis as assistant minority floor leader.&nbsp;In the House, Republicans followed the line of succession they set earlier this year and elevated Rep. Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit to speaker and Rep. Alex Riley of Springfield to majority leader.&nbsp;“We have achieved many significant accomplishments over the past few years,” Riley said, “but there’s much more to be done.”Democrats chose Rep. Ashley Aune of Kansas City to be the next minority leader. She takes over from Rep. Crystal Quade of Springfield, who has held the post for six years but will leave the House in January due to term limits.&nbsp;Aune promised to “build upon the foundation my predecessor has established.”“I didn’t run as a Democrat in a deep red state because I thought it would be a cakewalk,” she said. “I ran because I want to help make our party stronger and build a Democratic movement that truly reflects the values of Missourians. The challenges are real, but so is our resolve.”Republicans will enter the next legislative session in January with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/status-quo-election-leaves-missouri-republicans-with-legislative-supermajorities/">supermajorities in the House and Senate</a>.&nbsp;The party will have 24 of the Senate’s 34 seats and 111 of the 163 House seats.

In aftermath of Missouri election, both parties pick legislative leaders

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department are investigating a shooting that has left one person dead.

Just after 5p.m. Friday officers were dispatched to a shooting at a residence in the area of N. 6th Street and Splitlog Avenue, according to a media release.

&nbsp;When officers arrived on scene, they discovered an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The suspect was located and taken into custody. Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time. ###

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department are investigating a shooting that has left one person dead.Just after 5p.m. Friday officers were dispatched to a shooting at a residence in the area of N. 6th Street and Splitlog Avenue, according to a media release.&nbsp;When officers arrived on scene, they discovered an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The suspect was located and taken into custody. Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time. ###

Police: Suspect in custody after deadly shooting in Kansas home

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man was indicted by a federal grand jury this week for producing child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

Leonardo Leon, 25, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Leon on Oct. 14.

The federal indictment alleges that Leon used a minor victim to produce child pornography from Aug. 1 to Sept. 2, 2024. The indictment also charges Leon with distributing child pornography.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, law enforcement officers were dispatched to Children’s Mercy Hospital shortly after midnight on Sept. 3, 2024, when a 15-year-old victim suffered a fatal drug overdose. In the course of their investigation, officers learned that Leon had been communicating on Instagram with the child victim’s best friend. This witness told officers that Leon was having sex with the child victim and, about a week after the child victim’s death, had sent her a video of them having sex.

Investigators searched Leon’s Instagram account, the affidavit says, and found three video clips he had sent to the witness of himself engaging in sex with the child victim.

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man was indicted by a federal grand jury this week for producing child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.Leonardo Leon, 25, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Leon on Oct. 14.The federal indictment alleges that Leon used a minor victim to produce child pornography from Aug. 1 to Sept. 2, 2024. The indictment also charges Leon with distributing child pornography.According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, law enforcement officers were dispatched to Children’s Mercy Hospital shortly after midnight on Sept. 3, 2024, when a 15-year-old victim suffered a fatal drug overdose. In the course of their investigation, officers learned that Leon had been communicating on Instagram with the child victim’s best friend. This witness told officers that Leon was having sex with the child victim and, about a week after the child victim’s death, had sent her a video of them having sex.Investigators searched Leon’s Instagram account, the affidavit says, and found three video clips he had sent to the witness of himself engaging in sex with the child victim.

15-year-old's fatal drug overdose in KC led to child sex crime indictment

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.

Just before 3:30p.m. November 6, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 Ford F150 at 118th Road on U.S. 75 Highway for multiple alleged traffic infractions, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Lisa Rene McKinney, 58, and the passenger was identified as Antonio Ramirez, 60, both of Hiawatha. A search was conducted of the vehicle which resulted in the discovery of illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

McKinney and Ramirez were arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730934687198.png" alt="McKinney photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>McKinney photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730934741762.png" alt="Ramirez photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Ramirez photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 3:30p.m. November 6, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 Ford F150 at 118th Road on U.S. 75 Highway for multiple alleged traffic infractions, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The driver of the vehicle was identified as Lisa Rene McKinney, 58, and the passenger was identified as Antonio Ramirez, 60, both of Hiawatha. A search was conducted of the vehicle which resulted in the discovery of illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia.McKinney and Ramirez were arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas couple caught transporting  methamphetamine 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

First responders were directed towards a vehicle that was stopped in the southbound lanes of Paseo. As they approached the vehicle, they located a shooting victim unresponsive inside the vehicle. Officers rendered aid until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported the man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. At the hospital, the victim was declared deceased, according to Becchina.

Homicide detectives and Crime Scene investigators are here at the scene processing for evidence and canvassing for any potential witnesses.Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was in his vehicle when he was shot by an unknown suspect from outside of the vehicle.

If anyone heard or saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731123731422.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 75th and Paseo, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.First responders were directed towards a vehicle that was stopped in the southbound lanes of Paseo. As they approached the vehicle, they located a shooting victim unresponsive inside the vehicle. Officers rendered aid until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported the man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. At the hospital, the victim was declared deceased, according to Becchina.Homicide detectives and Crime Scene investigators are here at the scene processing for evidence and canvassing for any potential witnesses.Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was in his vehicle when he was shot by an unknown suspect from outside of the vehicle.If anyone heard or saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

KCPD: Man found with gunshot wound in his vehicle

WASHINGTON —Daylight saving time ended at 2 a.m. November 2. Standard time will last until March 9 when we will again “spring forward”&nbsp;with the return of daylight saving time.

On his social media account, Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry wrote he hopes his fellow members in the Senate take action to 'lock the clock.'

Moran wrote, "The Senate should again prioritize and pass the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent and end this outdated practice.."

"This commonsense change will keep our days brighter, reduce seasonal depression, create more economic activity and eliminate disruptions between farmers and their suppliers."

That spring time change can be tougher on your body. Darker mornings and lighter evenings can knock your internal body clock out of whack, making it harder to fall asleep on time for weeks or longer. Studies have even found an uptick in heart attacks and strokes right after the March time change.

“Fall back” should be easier. But it still may take a while to adjust your sleep habits, not to mention the downsides of leaving work in the dark or trying to exercise while there's still enough light. Some people with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the shorter days and less sunlight of fall and winter, may struggle, too.

On the other hand, some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology.

-The Associated Press contributed this this report

WASHINGTON —Daylight saving time ended at 2 a.m. November 2. Standard time will last until March 9 when we will again “spring forward”&nbsp;with the return of daylight saving time.On his social media account, Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry wrote he hopes his fellow members in the Senate take action to 'lock the clock.'Moran wrote, "The Senate should again prioritize and pass the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent and end this outdated practice..""This commonsense change will keep our days brighter, reduce seasonal depression, create more economic activity and eliminate disruptions between farmers and their suppliers."That spring time change can be tougher on your body. Darker mornings and lighter evenings can knock your internal body clock out of whack, making it harder to fall asleep on time for weeks or longer. Studies have even found an uptick in heart attacks and strokes right after the March time change.“Fall back” should be easier. But it still may take a while to adjust your sleep habits, not to mention the downsides of leaving work in the dark or trying to exercise while there's still enough light. Some people with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the shorter days and less sunlight of fall and winter, may struggle, too.On the other hand, some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology.-The Associated Press contributed this this report

Kan. U.S. Senator wants to make daylight saving time permanent

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas’ child care providers view the state’s child care subsidy program as cumbersome and ineffective, according to a new survey, but they also see ways to fix the underused system.&nbsp;

In partnership with Kansas State University, the Hutchinson-based United Methodist Health Ministry Fund highlighted&nbsp;<a href="https://healthfund.org/a/ccsubsidy/" target="_blank">a report</a>&nbsp;Wednesday detailing providers’ perceptions of the state’s child care subsidy program.&nbsp;

Child care providers and administrators across Kansas said that the state’s processes can be a barrier to those seeking assistance due to excessive paperwork, lack of communication and stringent eligibility requirements, the survey found. That’s in addition to inadequate reimbursement rates and delayed payments.

Jennifer Francois, the author of the survey and a K-State professor, said in a news release the goal of the study was to better understand providers and their thoughts on how to improve Kansas’ child care subsidy system to increase participation. Ninety-three Kansas counties were represented in Francois’ survey of nearly 300 child care providers and administrators.

In Kansas, families qualify for the state’s child care subsidy program if they fall into one of four categories: they receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, benefits; they are low income or a foster parent and working; they are pursuing education or training activities; or they are a teen parent completing high school or a GED. The Kansas Department for Children and Families administers the program and loads payments to families on their Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT cards, each month, and the family pays child care providers.

Desiree Streight, the owner of Little Explorers Playschool in Kingman, in south-central Kansas, accepts families using subsidies and said at a Wednesday news conference that families and child care providers are carrying the burden of a flawed system. Seven of the 12 children she cares for are part of families who are receiving child care subsidies, she said.&nbsp;

“Those families are working hard to get by,” Straight said.&nbsp;

Eligibility review takes too long, and families that are already struggling often can’t afford to shoulder the costs of child care or the penalties associated with the state’s subsidy program, she said.&nbsp;

More than 70% of providers identified higher reimbursement rates and direct payments to providers as ways to increase participation in the program, the health ministry fund’s survey found.&nbsp;

“Kansas is one of the few remaining states that pays families subsidies, or the assistance stipend, to then pay the provider, and oftentimes this is inefficient,” said David Jordan, executive director of the health ministry fund, at the news conference.&nbsp;

DCF’s subsidy program is underused. A report based on 2020 data from the Center for Law and Social Policy found that 12% of eligible families are participating. That was lower than the national rate of 14%.

Other states use presumptive eligibility, which allows families to enroll their kids in child care while they undergo the application process for assistance. Kansas has no such thing.&nbsp;

However, Kansas isn’t unique in its child care challenges.&nbsp;

“Every state is struggling in their own way,” said Emily Barnes, education policy advisor for the Topeka child advocacy nonprofit Kansas Action for Children. “Each state is working to increase the effectiveness of their system, and part of it is we have just not had adequate conversation for a really long time.”

As those working in the child care and child advocacy fields look toward the 2025 legislative session, more funding for providers, which could mean dipping into the state’s general fund, and reevaluating work requirements to qualify for child care subsidies could ease barriers.&nbsp;

Quality, affordable child care is important to Kansans. Kansas Speaks, a statewide comprehensive survey from Fort Hays State University’s Docking Institute, found that more than 85% of Kansans believed that “high-quality, affordable infant and toddler child care was extremely or highly important for families in Kansas, regardless of whether or not they had young children.”

The same survey found that nearly 80% of Kansans surveyed either strongly agree or somewhat agree that access to affordable child care strengthens the economy.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647281893666.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas’ child care providers view the state’s child care subsidy program as cumbersome and ineffective, according to a new survey, but they also see ways to fix the underused system.&nbsp;In partnership with Kansas State University, the Hutchinson-based United Methodist Health Ministry Fund highlighted&nbsp;<a href="https://healthfund.org/a/ccsubsidy/" target="_blank">a report</a>&nbsp;Wednesday detailing providers’ perceptions of the state’s child care subsidy program.&nbsp;Child care providers and administrators across Kansas said that the state’s processes can be a barrier to those seeking assistance due to excessive paperwork, lack of communication and stringent eligibility requirements, the survey found. That’s in addition to inadequate reimbursement rates and delayed payments.Jennifer Francois, the author of the survey and a K-State professor, said in a news release the goal of the study was to better understand providers and their thoughts on how to improve Kansas’ child care subsidy system to increase participation. Ninety-three Kansas counties were represented in Francois’ survey of nearly 300 child care providers and administrators.In Kansas, families qualify for the state’s child care subsidy program if they fall into one of four categories: they receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, benefits; they are low income or a foster parent and working; they are pursuing education or training activities; or they are a teen parent completing high school or a GED. The Kansas Department for Children and Families administers the program and loads payments to families on their Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT cards, each month, and the family pays child care providers.Desiree Streight, the owner of Little Explorers Playschool in Kingman, in south-central Kansas, accepts families using subsidies and said at a Wednesday news conference that families and child care providers are carrying the burden of a flawed system. Seven of the 12 children she cares for are part of families who are receiving child care subsidies, she said.&nbsp;“Those families are working hard to get by,” Straight said.&nbsp;Eligibility review takes too long, and families that are already struggling often can’t afford to shoulder the costs of child care or the penalties associated with the state’s subsidy program, she said.&nbsp;More than 70% of providers identified higher reimbursement rates and direct payments to providers as ways to increase participation in the program, the health ministry fund’s survey found.&nbsp;“Kansas is one of the few remaining states that pays families subsidies, or the assistance stipend, to then pay the provider, and oftentimes this is inefficient,” said David Jordan, executive director of the health ministry fund, at the news conference.&nbsp;DCF’s subsidy program is underused. A report based on 2020 data from the Center for Law and Social Policy found that 12% of eligible families are participating. That was lower than the national rate of 14%.Other states use presumptive eligibility, which allows families to enroll their kids in child care while they undergo the application process for assistance. Kansas has no such thing.&nbsp;However, Kansas isn’t unique in its child care challenges.&nbsp;“Every state is struggling in their own way,” said Emily Barnes, education policy advisor for the Topeka child advocacy nonprofit Kansas Action for Children. “Each state is working to increase the effectiveness of their system, and part of it is we have just not had adequate conversation for a really long time.”As those working in the child care and child advocacy fields look toward the 2025 legislative session, more funding for providers, which could mean dipping into the state’s general fund, and reevaluating work requirements to qualify for child care subsidies could ease barriers.&nbsp;Quality, affordable child care is important to Kansans. Kansas Speaks, a statewide comprehensive survey from Fort Hays State University’s Docking Institute, found that more than 85% of Kansans believed that “high-quality, affordable infant and toddler child care was extremely or highly important for families in Kansas, regardless of whether or not they had young children.”The same survey found that nearly 80% of Kansans surveyed either strongly agree or somewhat agree that access to affordable child care strengthens the economy.&nbsp;

Kansas child care providers say subsidies difficult to access, survey finds

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating alleged criminal damage in Kansas City have made an arrest.

Early Friday, police arrested a suspect responsible for vandalizing a Vietnamese business in the Columbus Park neighborhood this week, according to a social media report from Kansas City Police.

Officers worked with detectives from a neighboring agency to track down this criminal. Police are now checking into other crimes this suspect may have committed, and charges are pending.

Police did not release the name of the suspect or additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating alleged criminal damage in Kansas City have made an arrest.Early Friday, police arrested a suspect responsible for vandalizing a Vietnamese business in the Columbus Park neighborhood this week, according to a social media report from Kansas City Police.Officers worked with detectives from a neighboring agency to track down this criminal. Police are now checking into other crimes this suspect may have committed, and charges are pending.Police did not release the name of the suspect or additional details.

Suspect accused of vandalism at Vietnamese business in KC

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of an apartment fire in Kansas City.

Just after 12:30p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported apartment fire in the 200 block of N. Clinton Place, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews found smoke showing from the three-story apartment building. Crews initiated an interior offensive attack using three handlines. Searches of the structure came back all clear. Heavy fire damage on the second-floor apartment with water and smoke damage throughout the structure. The Red Cross was ordered for 12 individuals. There were no injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731100741509.png" alt="Photos KC Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Photos KC Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of an apartment fire in Kansas City.Just after 12:30p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported apartment fire in the 200 block of N. Clinton Place, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731100764172.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Crews found smoke showing from the three-story apartment building. Crews initiated an interior offensive attack using three handlines. Searches of the structure came back all clear. Heavy fire damage on the second-floor apartment with water and smoke damage throughout the structure. The Red Cross was ordered for 12 individuals. There were no injuries were reported.

Fire damages 3-story apartment building in Kansas City

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for a shooting incident at a health care office.

On Thursday evening, sheriff's deputies driving in the area of the Johnson County Mental Health Center, 1125 West Spruce Street in Olathe when they observed a subject shooting into the front of the building, according to a statement from the Johnson County Sheriff.

Sheriff's deputies and Olathe police responded immediately to the scene and were able to detain the subject, later identified as 34-year-old Joseph S. Longman without further incident. The office was closed and there were no injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731086634489.png" alt="Longman-photo from an earlier arrest in Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Longman-photo from an earlier arrest in Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for a shooting incident at a health care office.On Thursday evening, sheriff's deputies driving in the area of the Johnson County Mental Health Center, 1125 West Spruce Street in Olathe when they observed a subject shooting into the front of the building, according to a statement from the Johnson County Sheriff.Sheriff's deputies and Olathe police responded immediately to the scene and were able to detain the subject, later identified as 34-year-old Joseph S. Longman without further incident. The office was closed and there were no injuries.Longman is being held on a requested charge of aggravated assault, according to online jail records.