JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo. —One person died in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Thursday in Johnson County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Buick Enclave driven by a 54-year-old woman from Holden was southbound at 551 MO 0.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the road and the driver overcorrected. The SUV struck the&nbsp; embankment. 

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

<p>JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo. —One person died in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Thursday in Johnson County.</p><p>The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Buick Enclave driven by a 54-year-old woman from Holden was southbound at 551 MO 0.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the road and the driver overcorrected. The SUV struck the&nbsp; embankment. </p><p>The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.</p>

Mo. woman dies after SUV strikes embankment

KANSAS CITY, KAN. –On Wednesday, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. &nbsp;The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. &nbsp;The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, according to a media release from the DOJ.

In the District of Kansas, two individuals were arrested and charged with federal crimes, including: Christopher Davis, 39, of Wellington was indicted on four counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.&nbsp; Christopher Slattery, 42, of Manhattan was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor - possession of child pornography.

Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.

In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746733729757.png" alt="Davis is being held in Butler County" />
                        <figcaption>Davis is being held in Butler County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY, KAN. –On Wednesday, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. &nbsp;The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. &nbsp;The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, according to a media release from the DOJ.</p><p>In the District of Kansas, two individuals were arrested and charged with federal crimes, including: Christopher Davis, 39, of Wellington was indicted on four counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.&nbsp; Christopher Slattery, 42, of Manhattan was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor - possession of child pornography.</p><p>Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.</p><p>In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.</p>

2 Kan. men jailed in nationwide crackdown on sex abuse offenders 

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

No Democrats supported the bill, which also includes property tax relief for seniors and people with disabilities, on the final Missouri House vote

Missouri House Republicans muscled their biggest tax-cut priority of the year across the finish line on Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/HouseBillSumm.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=4957943" target="_blank">sending a bill</a>&nbsp;exempting capital gains from income tax to Gov. Mike Kehoe.

No Democrats supported the bill, although 10 did vote “present” to show they supported provisions of the legislation other than the exemption on profits from the sale of property or investments held more than a year.

The bill applies to income received this calendar year, so it has a bigger bite into state revenue for the current fiscal year than it does for future years. The&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/fiscal/fispdf/1683S.04F.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">fiscal note for the bill</a>&nbsp;estimates the change could reduce state revenue in the first year&nbsp; just under $430 million. In future years, the bill is estimated to reduce revenues by approximately $340 million annually.

House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, a Bowling Green Republican, sponsored the bill. In an interview after the vote, he said he was surprised that no Democrats joined Republicans on the 102-41 vote.&nbsp;

“There were a lot of Senate Democrats who voted for it,” Perkins said.

The tax cut vote came as the Friday deadline for passing the state budget approaches. During debate, Democrats said they are concerned that state revenues are stagnant and federal funding for many programs is in jeopardy.

“There are good pieces in this bill, but I fear it might be a pig that we put some lipstick on,” said state Rep. Stephanie Hein, a Springfield Democrat.

Citing estimates from a left-leaning think tank&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/07/missouri-lawmakers-set-to-pass-capital-gains-tax-cut-with-questions-about-its-total-cost/">published in The Independent</a>, Democrats also questioned whether the fiscal note truly reflects how much revenue would decline under the bill.&nbsp;

Federal tax data from returns filed for 2022 shows individual income tax filers from Missouri reported $13.3 billion in capital gains income. Allowing a deduction of that amount would reduce state revenue by more than $600 million if it is all taxed at the top rate of 4.7%

“I’m not sure that our budget can afford that, especially at a time when we’ve chosen not to fully fund our schools,” said state Rep. Kemp Strickler, a Democrat from Lee’s Summit.

Perkins said he also thinks the fiscal note is inaccurate, but for a different reason. The estimate does not account for increased economic activity from new investments made by people who retain the money, he said.

But he also acknowledged that the revenue reduction estimate could be inaccurate.

“The possibility exists that you are right as well,” Perkins said to Strickler.

Under the bill, individuals would receive the capital gains exemption immediately. Corporations would be exempt in the year after the top individual income tax rate declines to 4.5% under a state law lowering the rate when revenue growth hits a trigger amount.

Revenues are unlikely to trigger a one-tenth percentage point cut in the tax rate until 2028, the fiscal note states, making the corporate capital gains exemption unlikely until at least Jan. 1, 2030.

The capital gains exemption for individuals is estimated to reduce revenue by about $110 million annually. Corporations are expected to see their taxes reduced by about $180 million annually when the exemption is triggered.

The bill won votes from five of the 10 Democrats in the state Senate after the delay in the corporate exemption was added along with other tax cut provisions for lower-income Missourians.

The circuit breaker tax credit was established in 1973. People over age 65 and those who have a qualifying disability and rent their homes can claim a tax credit to offset property taxes of up to $750 if their income is less than $27,500. The credit for homeowners is up to $1,100 if they own their home if their income is less than $30,000.

The bill would increase the maximum credit for renters to $1,055. For homeowners, the maximum credit would be increased to $1,550. It would also increase the income limits for claiming the credit, to $38,200 for renters and $41,000 for homeowners, with slightly higher amounts allowed for married couples claiming the credit.

For the first time, the credit amount and the income limits would be indexed for inflation.

Most of the benefits from a cut in the capital gains rate for individuals would go to a small slice of taxpayers. The 23,800 federal returns filed for 2022 with incomes greater than $500,000 a year represent 0.8% of all returns but included 65% of the capital gains income.

State revenues are already trending lower for the current fiscal year, down more than 2% through Tuesday. If continued to the end of the fiscal year, revenues would fall about $300 million below estimates made in January.

Republicans who argued for the tax cut said they see no problem if revenues decline. The answer, they said, is to cut spending.

“I’m going to tell you,” said state Rep. Jim Murphy, a St. Louis Republican, “if you keep spending, and you keep spending, and you keep spending, we’re not going to be able to do the things we really need to do in this chamber, and that’s to help the people who deserve it.”

Democrats, however, said increases for the circuit breaker and the sales tax exemptions are attempts to mask a giveaway to the rich.

“No one’s sitting at any marble tables around the 73rd talking about capital gains tax,” said state Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson. “They are talking about these eggs. They are talking about how they have to use the emergency room for their primary care physician. They do talk about that.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746749264670.png" alt=" Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins of Bowing Green speaks at a news conference Feb. 13 with state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
                        <figcaption> Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins of Bowing Green speaks at a news conference Feb. 13 with state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a></p><h2>No Democrats supported the bill, which also includes property tax relief for seniors and people with disabilities, on the final Missouri House vote</h2><p>Missouri House Republicans muscled their biggest tax-cut priority of the year across the finish line on Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/HouseBillSumm.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=4957943" target="_blank">sending a bill</a>&nbsp;exempting capital gains from income tax to Gov. Mike Kehoe.</p><p>No Democrats supported the bill, although 10 did vote “present” to show they supported provisions of the legislation other than the exemption on profits from the sale of property or investments held more than a year.</p><p>The bill applies to income received this calendar year, so it has a bigger bite into state revenue for the current fiscal year than it does for future years. The&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/fiscal/fispdf/1683S.04F.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">fiscal note for the bill</a>&nbsp;estimates the change could reduce state revenue in the first year&nbsp; just under $430 million. In future years, the bill is estimated to reduce revenues by approximately $340 million annually.</p><p>House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, a Bowling Green Republican, sponsored the bill. In an interview after the vote, he said he was surprised that no Democrats joined Republicans on the 102-41 vote.&nbsp;</p><p>“There were a lot of Senate Democrats who voted for it,” Perkins said.</p><p>The tax cut vote came as the Friday deadline for passing the state budget approaches. During debate, Democrats said they are concerned that state revenues are stagnant and federal funding for many programs is in jeopardy.</p><p>“There are good pieces in this bill, but I fear it might be a pig that we put some lipstick on,” said state Rep. Stephanie Hein, a Springfield Democrat.</p><p>Citing estimates from a left-leaning think tank&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/07/missouri-lawmakers-set-to-pass-capital-gains-tax-cut-with-questions-about-its-total-cost/">published in The Independent</a>, Democrats also questioned whether the fiscal note truly reflects how much revenue would decline under the bill.&nbsp;</p><p>Federal tax data from returns filed for 2022 shows individual income tax filers from Missouri reported $13.3 billion in capital gains income. Allowing a deduction of that amount would reduce state revenue by more than $600 million if it is all taxed at the top rate of 4.7%</p><p>“I’m not sure that our budget can afford that, especially at a time when we’ve chosen not to fully fund our schools,” said state Rep. Kemp Strickler, a Democrat from Lee’s Summit.</p><p>Perkins said he also thinks the fiscal note is inaccurate, but for a different reason. The estimate does not account for increased economic activity from new investments made by people who retain the money, he said.</p><p>But he also acknowledged that the revenue reduction estimate could be inaccurate.</p><p>“The possibility exists that you are right as well,” Perkins said to Strickler.</p><p>Under the bill, individuals would receive the capital gains exemption immediately. Corporations would be exempt in the year after the top individual income tax rate declines to 4.5% under a state law lowering the rate when revenue growth hits a trigger amount.</p><p>Revenues are unlikely to trigger a one-tenth percentage point cut in the tax rate until 2028, the fiscal note states, making the corporate capital gains exemption unlikely until at least Jan. 1, 2030.</p><p>The capital gains exemption for individuals is estimated to reduce revenue by about $110 million annually. Corporations are expected to see their taxes reduced by about $180 million annually when the exemption is triggered.</p><p>The bill won votes from five of the 10 Democrats in the state Senate after the delay in the corporate exemption was added along with other tax cut provisions for lower-income Missourians.</p><p>They are:</p><ul>
                        <li>Increased credit amounts and income limits for the&nbsp;<a href="https://dor.mo.gov/taxation/individual/tax-types/property-tax-credit/" target="_blank">refundable property tax credit</a>&nbsp;known as the “circuit breaker” available to people over 65 and people with disabilities. The changes included in the bill would reduce state revenue by about $84 million.</li><li>A sales tax exemption for&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/07/missouri-senate-reaches-deal-on-gop-tax-cut-for-guns-democrat-tax-cut-for-diapers-and-tampons/">diapers and feminine</a>&nbsp;hygiene products that would eliminate the 4.225% state portion of the tax. Local sales taxes would remain in place. The exemption would reduce state revenue by about $37 million annually.</li>
                    </ul><p>The circuit breaker tax credit was established in 1973. People over age 65 and those who have a qualifying disability and rent their homes can claim a tax credit to offset property taxes of up to $750 if their income is less than $27,500. The credit for homeowners is up to $1,100 if they own their home if their income is less than $30,000.</p><p>The bill would increase the maximum credit for renters to $1,055. For homeowners, the maximum credit would be increased to $1,550. It would also increase the income limits for claiming the credit, to $38,200 for renters and $41,000 for homeowners, with slightly higher amounts allowed for married couples claiming the credit.</p><p>For the first time, the credit amount and the income limits would be indexed for inflation.</p><p>Most of the benefits from a cut in the capital gains rate for individuals would go to a small slice of taxpayers. The 23,800 federal returns filed for 2022 with incomes greater than $500,000 a year represent 0.8% of all returns but included 65% of the capital gains income.</p><p>State revenues are already trending lower for the current fiscal year, down more than 2% through Tuesday. If continued to the end of the fiscal year, revenues would fall about $300 million below estimates made in January.</p><p>Republicans who argued for the tax cut said they see no problem if revenues decline. The answer, they said, is to cut spending.</p><p>“I’m going to tell you,” said state Rep. Jim Murphy, a St. Louis Republican, “if you keep spending, and you keep spending, and you keep spending, we’re not going to be able to do the things we really need to do in this chamber, and that’s to help the people who deserve it.”</p><p>Democrats, however, said increases for the circuit breaker and the sales tax exemptions are attempts to mask a giveaway to the rich.</p><p>“No one’s sitting at any marble tables around the 73rd talking about capital gains tax,” said state Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson. “They are talking about these eggs. They are talking about how they have to use the emergency room for their primary care physician. They do talk about that.”</p>

Missouri bill exempting capital gains from income tax sent to governor

RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a small plane mishap that occurred just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an AT-301 Air-Tractor&nbsp;Fixed wing single-engine aircraft piloted by William E. Garrison, 62, Nickerson, was taking off from a private landing strip in the 7700 Block of North Herren Road just east of Nickerson.

The aircraft clipped the top of a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by Jessica M. Williams, 38, Great Bend, who was northbound on Kansas 14.

There were no injuries. Williams was properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746735870194.jpeg" alt="Photos by Sean Boston Hutch Post" />
                        <figcaption>Photos by Sean Boston Hutch Post</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a small plane mishap that occurred just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Reno County.</p><p>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an AT-301 Air-Tractor&nbsp;Fixed wing single-engine aircraft piloted by William E. Garrison, 62, Nickerson, was taking off from a private landing strip in the 7700 Block of North Herren Road just east of Nickerson.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746735846843.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The aircraft clipped the top of a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by Jessica M. Williams, 38, Great Bend, who was northbound on Kansas 14.</p><p>There were no injuries. Williams was properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.</p>

KHP: Small plane clipped car while taking off from private landing strip

The new pope is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. He was born in Chicago. His papal name is Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American pope.

<p>The new pope is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. He was born in Chicago. His papal name is Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American pope.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH: Complete remarks from Pope Leo XIV. <a href="https://t.co/aOzEdyb0G0">pic.twitter.com/aOzEdyb0G0</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920538411326169492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pope Leo XIV <a href="https://t.co/UejjnPjzeQ">pic.twitter.com/UejjnPjzeQ</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920531668311359753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Pope Leo XIV, first American elected Pope

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.merck-animal-health.com%2F/1/01010196affcb425-3b4f991c-9bb8-456a-a026-b5d61955a9dc-000000/2jAl_vvhePLRUnTv8q-32_0YeOSQ7KKd4OnZYnGdzSA=404">Merck Animal Health</a>&nbsp;today jointly announced an $895 million capital expansion project at the company’s manufacturing facility in De Soto, Kansas, according to a media release from the governor's office.

 The second largest private investment in Kansas history – and the largest economic development project for Merck Animal Health – will create more than 200 new jobs.

The $860 million investment in its existing manufacturing facility and $35 million in its research and development laboratories demonstrates Merck’s commitment to the U.S. market, where the company has significantly invested to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.

“This extraordinary investment by Merck Animal Health underscores my administration’s commitment to securing a strong economic future for our state and ensuring prosperity for generations to come,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Public-private partnerships that lead to major global projects, such as those with Merck, Fiserv and Panasonic – just to name a few recent successes – are occurring because people believe in Kansas. They believe in who we are, what we are doing, and the direction we have taken.”

The 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility project will expand filling and freeze dryer capacity for large molecule vaccines and biologic products for Merck Animal Health. As a Center of Excellence, it will play a pivotal role in the manufacturing of animal health products and will complement the company’s extensive U.S. and international network of animal health product manufacturing plants.

Site preparation and facility design will start immediately, creating 2,500 construction jobs. Commercial manufacturing is expected to begin in 2030.

“Our De Soto manufacturing facility is strategically located in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor. This region is renowned for its concentration of animal health companies, fostering an unparalleled ecosystem for innovation, collaboration and industry leadership,”&nbsp;Merck Animal Health President Richard DeLuca said. “This investment in our site is designed to increase Merck Animal Health’s ability to meet the growing customer demand for its portfolio of animal biologics products and ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the animal health sector. This initiative also reflects our dedication to advancing animal health and our on-going investment in the communities where we operate.”

Since the advent of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Merck has allocated more than $12 billion to enhance domestic manufacturing and research capabilities, with additional planned investments of more than $9 billion over the next four years.

Merck Animal Health’s significant investment in its research and development laboratories will enhance its research capabilities, focusing on advancing global drug discovery and development initiatives. The investment will continue to drive Merck Animal Health’s innovative research and development of novel parasiticides and therapeutics, reinforcing the company’s dedication to improving animal health and welfare worldwide.

“Merck’s massive expansion in De Soto further elevates Kansas’ long-established status as a global leader in animal health,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The opportunities and ripple effects of having almost $1 billion surge into the local economy will have far-reaching and long-lasting reverberations across the entire state. Historic investments such as these truly benefit all Kansans, both now and into the future.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746714250294.png" alt="Merk plant in DeSoto -Google image" />
                        <figcaption>Merk plant in DeSoto -Google image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.merck-animal-health.com%2F/1/01010196affcb425-3b4f991c-9bb8-456a-a026-b5d61955a9dc-000000/2jAl_vvhePLRUnTv8q-32_0YeOSQ7KKd4OnZYnGdzSA=404">Merck Animal Health</a>&nbsp;today jointly announced an $895 million capital expansion project at the company’s manufacturing facility in De Soto, Kansas, according to a media release from the governor's office.</p><p> The second largest private investment in Kansas history – and the largest economic development project for Merck Animal Health – will create more than 200 new jobs.</p><p>The $860 million investment in its existing manufacturing facility and $35 million in its research and development laboratories demonstrates Merck’s commitment to the U.S. market, where the company has significantly invested to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.</p><p>“This extraordinary investment by Merck Animal Health underscores my administration’s commitment to securing a strong economic future for our state and ensuring prosperity for generations to come,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Public-private partnerships that lead to major global projects, such as those with Merck, Fiserv and Panasonic – just to name a few recent successes – are occurring because people believe in Kansas. They believe in who we are, what we are doing, and the direction we have taken.”</p><p>The 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility project will expand filling and freeze dryer capacity for large molecule vaccines and biologic products for Merck Animal Health. As a Center of Excellence, it will play a pivotal role in the manufacturing of animal health products and will complement the company’s extensive U.S. and international network of animal health product manufacturing plants.</p><p>Site preparation and facility design will start immediately, creating 2,500 construction jobs. Commercial manufacturing is expected to begin in 2030.</p><p>“Our De Soto manufacturing facility is strategically located in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor. This region is renowned for its concentration of animal health companies, fostering an unparalleled ecosystem for innovation, collaboration and industry leadership,”&nbsp;Merck Animal Health President Richard DeLuca said. “This investment in our site is designed to increase Merck Animal Health’s ability to meet the growing customer demand for its portfolio of animal biologics products and ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the animal health sector. This initiative also reflects our dedication to advancing animal health and our on-going investment in the communities where we operate.”</p><p>Since the advent of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Merck has allocated more than $12 billion to enhance domestic manufacturing and research capabilities, with additional planned investments of more than $9 billion over the next four years.</p><p>Merck Animal Health’s significant investment in its research and development laboratories will enhance its research capabilities, focusing on advancing global drug discovery and development initiatives. The investment will continue to drive Merck Animal Health’s innovative research and development of novel parasiticides and therapeutics, reinforcing the company’s dedication to improving animal health and welfare worldwide.</p><p>“Merck’s massive expansion in De Soto further elevates Kansas’ long-established status as a global leader in animal health,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The opportunities and ripple effects of having almost $1 billion surge into the local economy will have far-reaching and long-lasting reverberations across the entire state. Historic investments such as these truly benefit all Kansans, both now and into the future.”</p>

$895M expansion in Kansas plant will bring 200 jobs to the state

SHAWNEE COUNTY – The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a fatality accident near NW Carlson Road and NW 39th Street, according to Sheriff's Lt. Scott Wanamaker.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a phone call regarding a single vehicle vs. pedestrian accident in the 3800 block of NW Carlson Road.

NW Carlson Road was closed between NW 39th Street and NW 33rd Street.

Authorities released no additional details.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746710191002.png" alt="Deputies on the scene early Thursday -photo WIBW TV" />
                        <figcaption>Deputies on the scene early Thursday -photo WIBW TV</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY – The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a fatality accident near NW Carlson Road and NW 39th Street, according to Sheriff's Lt. Scott Wanamaker.</p><p>Just after 4:30 a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a phone call regarding a single vehicle vs. pedestrian accident in the 3800 block of NW Carlson Road.</p><p>NW Carlson Road was closed between NW 39th Street and NW 33rd Street.</p><p>Authorities released no additional details.</p>

Sheriff investigating deadly Kansas pedestrian accident

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/CaseyMeansMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CaseyMeansMD</a> on her nomination as Surgeon General! <br><br>This is an excellent choice by President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>. Dr. Means’ commitment to Making America Healthy Again will inspire a healthier nation, and I look forward to working with her on this movement. <br><br>She is a… <a href="https://t.co/kRKralN71K">pic.twitter.com/kRKralN71K</a></p>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1920222714305958055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCXt3_myk9B/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCXt3_myk9B/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCXt3_myk9B/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Casey Means, MD (@drcaseyskitchen)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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Kan. U.S. Senator pleased with Trump's choice for surgeon general

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri, have identified the victim as 18-year-old Deon W. Porter, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just after 10:30p.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to 75th Street and Bruce R Watkins Drive in Kansas City, Missouri on an ambulance in route, medical nature unknown call, according to DiMartino.

Passing motorists observed an individual lying in the roadway, on Bruce R Watkins Drive and called 911. 

First responders observed a victim, later identified as Porter, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers began performing life saving measures and KCFD EMS was ordered to the scene. Medics transported the Porter to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

This is being investigated as a homicide. Investigators are working to determine what led up to Porter being shot. Police have not reported an arrest.

<p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri, have identified the victim as 18-year-old Deon W. Porter, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.</p><p>Just after 10:30p.m. Monday, patrol officers were dispatched to 75th Street and Bruce R Watkins Drive in Kansas City, Missouri on an ambulance in route, medical nature unknown call, according to DiMartino.</p><p>Passing motorists observed an individual lying in the roadway, on Bruce R Watkins Drive and called 911. </p><p>First responders observed a victim, later identified as Porter, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers began performing life saving measures and KCFD EMS was ordered to the scene. Medics transported the Porter to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.</p><p>This is being investigated as a homicide. Investigators are working to determine what led up to Porter being shot. Police have not reported an arrest.</p>

KCPD: Shooting victim drivers saw lying in the road was just a teen

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a><br><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a>

TOPEKA — The Grain Belt Express, an 800-mile electric transmission line to be built through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, announced $1.7 billion in contractor awards on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The awards were made to Quanta Services of Houston and Kiewit Energy Group Inc. of Omaha. Grain Belt Express&nbsp;is an Invenergy project expected to add 5,000 megawatts of U.S. energy delivery capacity, according to an Invenergy press release. It’s also expected to provide $52 billion in energy cost savings to Americans over 15 years.

“Quanta Services and Kiewit have strong local presences and expect to source raw materials locally in Kansas and Missouri when possible, including concrete, aggregate, civil materials, conduit, and piping,” the press release said. “Main construction, engineering, and procurement offices for Grain Belt Express Phase 1 will be based out of Overland Park&nbsp;and Lenexa, Kansas.”

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson said the Grain Belt Express is a multimillion dollar investment that will pay off for Kansans.

“The selection of contractors and suppliers with a local presence is just one of the many sizable economic benefits Grain Belt Express brings, in addition to greater energy cost savings and reliability,” he said.

In April, the Kansas Corporation Commission modified the route for one of two transmission lines that will connect wind and solar farms to the Grain Belt Express that was originally planned to run for 46 miles through parts of Ford, Meade and Gray counties.&nbsp;

“The new route reduces the length of the line by 12 miles and avoids 24 parcels of land resulting in fewer landowners being impacted,” a KCC press release said. “The 16-mile Bucklin-Dodge City Line remains unchanged.”

A map showing the new route of the Meade-Dodge City line can be viewed&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%2FCL0%2Fhttps%3A%252F%252Festar.kcc.ks.gov%252Festar%252FViewFile.aspx%252F20250410102317546.pdf%253FId%3D4560a87d-6cc2-410a-8239-5d3ecc7f61a3%2526utm_medium%3Demail%2526utm_source%3Dgovdelivery%2F1%2F01010196213afb39-3f6c80b3-910d-4f31-92a2-13acace51784-000000%2FLHVZJwat2a5Nhd9oAkr8cg4njDiZ1rTO40QiouMd54I%3D400&amp;data=05%7C02%7CLinda.Berry%40ks.gov%7Ccaa38d20bf6c491cbd6708dd7868088d%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C638799110678140200%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=0tU8QIj0qToSrbld3FPpCscXv2cGIa6HbZUCkKu6CvU%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>.

The Invenergy press release said 1,500 agreements have been executed with landowners for easement rights. More than $105 million is part of executed easement agreements, including $19 million already paid to landowners and an additional $86 million due at construction, the company said. More than 95% of Grain Belt Express Phase 1 main line land acquisition is complete.

“Kansans working to balance household budgets and run businesses want energy that’s affordable and reliable, and that’s what we are getting with Grain Belt Express, all without ratepayers being forced to pay for it,” said Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746648653179.png" alt=" The Grain Belt Express announced $1.7 billion in contractor awards on Wednesday to build a transmission line through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. (Robert Zullo/States Newsroom)" />
                        <figcaption> The Grain Belt Express announced $1.7 billion in contractor awards on Wednesday to build a transmission line through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. (Robert Zullo/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a><br><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — The Grain Belt Express, an 800-mile electric transmission line to be built through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, announced $1.7 billion in contractor awards on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p><p>The awards were made to Quanta Services of Houston and Kiewit Energy Group Inc. of Omaha. Grain Belt Express&nbsp;is an Invenergy project expected to add 5,000 megawatts of U.S. energy delivery capacity, according to an Invenergy press release. It’s also expected to provide $52 billion in energy cost savings to Americans over 15 years.</p><p>“Quanta Services and Kiewit have strong local presences and expect to source raw materials locally in Kansas and Missouri when possible, including concrete, aggregate, civil materials, conduit, and piping,” the press release said. “Main construction, engineering, and procurement offices for Grain Belt Express Phase 1 will be based out of Overland Park&nbsp;and Lenexa, Kansas.”</p><p>Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson said the Grain Belt Express is a multimillion dollar investment that will pay off for Kansans.</p><p>“The selection of contractors and suppliers with a local presence is just one of the many sizable economic benefits Grain Belt Express brings, in addition to greater energy cost savings and reliability,” he said.</p><p>In April, the Kansas Corporation Commission modified the route for one of two transmission lines that will connect wind and solar farms to the Grain Belt Express that was originally planned to run for 46 miles through parts of Ford, Meade and Gray counties.&nbsp;</p><p>“The new route reduces the length of the line by 12 miles and avoids 24 parcels of land resulting in fewer landowners being impacted,” a KCC press release said. “The 16-mile Bucklin-Dodge City Line remains unchanged.”</p><p>A map showing the new route of the Meade-Dodge City line can be viewed&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%2FCL0%2Fhttps%3A%252F%252Festar.kcc.ks.gov%252Festar%252FViewFile.aspx%252F20250410102317546.pdf%253FId%3D4560a87d-6cc2-410a-8239-5d3ecc7f61a3%2526utm_medium%3Demail%2526utm_source%3Dgovdelivery%2F1%2F01010196213afb39-3f6c80b3-910d-4f31-92a2-13acace51784-000000%2FLHVZJwat2a5Nhd9oAkr8cg4njDiZ1rTO40QiouMd54I%3D400&amp;data=05%7C02%7CLinda.Berry%40ks.gov%7Ccaa38d20bf6c491cbd6708dd7868088d%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C638799110678140200%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=0tU8QIj0qToSrbld3FPpCscXv2cGIa6HbZUCkKu6CvU%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>The Invenergy press release said 1,500 agreements have been executed with landowners for easement rights. More than $105 million is part of executed easement agreements, including $19 million already paid to landowners and an additional $86 million due at construction, the company said. More than 95% of Grain Belt Express Phase 1 main line land acquisition is complete.</p><p>“Kansans working to balance household budgets and run businesses want energy that’s affordable and reliable, and that’s what we are getting with Grain Belt Express, all without ratepayers being forced to pay for it,” said Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins.</p>

Grain Belt Express awards $1.7B in contracts for transmission line through Kansas, other states

SALINE COUNTY —A jury found a Salina man guilty for a shooting death in 2021.

A Saline County jury found 38-year-old Juan Doroteo Morales guilty of first-degree, premeditated murder, aggravated assault and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon in the death of 25-year-old Camilo Renaldo Ramirez of Salina, according to the Kansas Attorney General's office.

In August 2021,&nbsp;Ramirez and his dog were shot near the intersection of Front Street and E. Iron Avenue. Police, who were dispatched to the area for the report of gunshots, found Ramirez in the street.&nbsp; He later died at a hospital.

According to information from police, surveillance videos near the shooting scene showed a vehicle circling the area. It then stopped and two people got out and began shooting.

A front window at Fresh Market, 511 E. Iron Avenue, and a nearby CityGo bus stop sign sustained damage from bullets during the shooting.

As part of the investigation, detectives learned that Ramirez was lured to the location by Morales and co-defendants&nbsp;Jaime Leos, Jacob Leos, and Kiera Stewart. Investigators found firearms used in the shooting in a drainage system a few blocks from a residence associated with the crime.

“Everyone involved in Camilo Ramirez’s murder has now been held accountable for their actions. I am pleased that justice was served,” Jessica Domme, Deputy Attorney General, said.

Stewart entered guilty pleas to intentional murder in the second Degree, attempted aggravated robbery, and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery on Oct. 18, 2022.&nbsp; Stewart testified during Morales’ trial.

Jaime Leos entered guilty pleas to voluntary manslaughter and conspiracy to commit murder in the second degree on July 29, 2024.

Jacob Leos entered guilty pleas to intentional murder in the second degree, conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, and aggravated assault on May 2, 2024.

Stewart and Jaime Leos are scheduled to be sentenced on May 16. Jacob Leos is scheduled to be sentenced May 20.&nbsp;Morales will be sentenced in Saline County District Court on August 15th.

The Salina Police Department with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746639820085.png" alt="Morales -Saline County Jail" />
                        <figcaption>Morales -Saline County Jail</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SALINE COUNTY —A jury found a Salina man guilty for a shooting death in 2021.</p><p>A Saline County jury found 38-year-old Juan Doroteo Morales guilty of first-degree, premeditated murder, aggravated assault and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon in the death of 25-year-old Camilo Renaldo Ramirez of Salina, according to the Kansas Attorney General's office.</p><p>In August 2021,&nbsp;Ramirez and his dog were shot near the intersection of Front Street and E. Iron Avenue. Police, who were dispatched to the area for the report of gunshots, found Ramirez in the street.&nbsp; He later died at a hospital.</p><p>According to information from police, surveillance videos near the shooting scene showed a vehicle circling the area. It then stopped and two people got out and began shooting.</p><p>A front window at Fresh Market, 511 E. Iron Avenue, and a nearby CityGo bus stop sign sustained damage from bullets during the shooting.</p><p>As part of the investigation, detectives learned that Ramirez was lured to the location by Morales and co-defendants&nbsp;Jaime Leos, Jacob Leos, and Kiera Stewart. Investigators found firearms used in the shooting in a drainage system a few blocks from a residence associated with the crime.</p><p>“Everyone involved in Camilo Ramirez’s murder has now been held accountable for their actions. I am pleased that justice was served,” Jessica Domme, Deputy Attorney General, said.</p><p>Stewart entered guilty pleas to intentional murder in the second Degree, attempted aggravated robbery, and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery on Oct. 18, 2022.&nbsp; Stewart testified during Morales’ trial.</p><p>Jaime Leos entered guilty pleas to voluntary manslaughter and conspiracy to commit murder in the second degree on July 29, 2024.</p><p>Jacob Leos entered guilty pleas to intentional murder in the second degree, conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, and aggravated assault on May 2, 2024.</p><p>Stewart and Jaime Leos are scheduled to be sentenced on May 16. Jacob Leos is scheduled to be sentenced May 20.&nbsp;Morales will be sentenced in Saline County District Court on August 15th.</p><p>The Salina Police Department with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.</p>

Jury: 4th suspect guilty of luring Kansas man to his death

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/tierneykugel/">Tierney Kugel</a>

The fallout from the failed contract negotiations between University of Missouri Health Care and Anthem is rippling far beyond Columbia — reaching counties more than 100 miles away.

As of April 1, more than 90,000 MU Health Care patients were left out of network after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. MU Health Care serves patients in each of Missouri’s 114 counties. While the effects are immediate for patients in Columbia and nearby areas who use the health care system, the disruption is statewide, driving up care costs for employees across the state.

The Ozarks Schools Benefits Association, or OSBA, is a self-funded cooperative consortium for health care purposes. It provides employee benefits to public school districts across Missouri. It offers a range of insurance options including medical, dental, vision and life coverage at competitive rates by pooling resources from member districts.

OSBA, which represents more than 120 school districts across Missouri, could face future challenges as a result of the failed negotiations between MU Health Care and Anthem. Tim Ryan, OSBA president and superintendent of the Dallas County R-I School District in Buffalo, Missouri, explained how the breakdown may affect the association moving forward.

“Ultimately all of those (medical) bills that are paid out come from a self-funded plan,” Ryan said. “So even though my district doesn’t necessarily … use that system, overall we share the same funds in our health care plan.”

The failed negotiations will impact rates in the future, Ryan said.

“As we look to future years, we might have higher rate increases just based on this negotiation between Anthem and MU,” he said. “Because ultimately it comes down to what we have in our reserves, and what is our anticipated cost for the upcoming year. So we might have larger increases in the future which would be the biggest piece that has an impact on all 120 school districts in our association.”

Some Anthem members receiving intensive or ongoing treatment may still qualify for in-network rates at MU Health Care through a continuity-of-care plan, which provides a minimum 90-day window to apply.

“Ultimately it’s going to cost our association more for any individual that receives health care through the MU Health Care system,” Ryan said.

Ryan is confident that Anthem and MU Health Care will reach an agreement eventually.

“It’s a bottom line issue,” he said. “We all share the funds, so ultimately there will be some sort of a rate increase in the future due to this more than likely, unless we can find other ways to reduce costs.”

MU Health Care spokesperson Eric Maze said the health care system does not expect an agreement with Anthem in the future.

“We are not optimistic that we will reach an agreement with Anthem in the foreseeable future,” Maze said. “The most recent proposal we received from Anthem doesn’t differ meaningfully from what they offered in fall 2024 or from the terms of the agreement that ended in March.”

“More specifically, it doesn’t address the increases in expenses that MU Health Care and other health systems are experiencing, parity with the rates paid by other managed care companies in the region or parity with the rates Anthem pays other academic health systems,” he added.

Maze pointed to rising premiums over the past decade as evidence of a growing disconnect between what employers pay and what providers receive.

He explained in regard to employee benefit increases, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance’s 2023 Health Insurance Market Report outlined how Anthem and its peers increased annual premiums to employer groups by as much as 37% over the last decade, but they did not pass on those rate increases to health care providers.

In addition to the financial impact to the OSBA, Ryan believes the failed negotiations will also impact trust for employees who use the health care system.

“I know most other people are probably like me when you find a doctor or physician that you really like seeing on a regular basis, it’s very difficult to change. Especially if it’s your primary care,” he said. “So there’s going to be a lack of trust there with MU.”

MU Health Care maintains contract agreements with other major insurers including UnitedHealthcare.

“We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for many of our patients with Anthem insurance and our goal remains to come to an agreement,” Maze said. “It’s important to note that MU Health Care remains in network with most major insurers.”

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/mu-health-care-anthem-negotiations-have-far-reaching-impact-on-employee-benefits/article_4efaaee7-2497-4c19-bbcb-51915802d83e.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732056018557.jpg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/tierneykugel/">Tierney Kugel</a></p><p>The fallout from the failed contract negotiations between University of Missouri Health Care and Anthem is rippling far beyond Columbia — reaching counties more than 100 miles away.</p><p>As of April 1, more than 90,000 MU Health Care patients were left out of network after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. MU Health Care serves patients in each of Missouri’s 114 counties. While the effects are immediate for patients in Columbia and nearby areas who use the health care system, the disruption is statewide, driving up care costs for employees across the state.</p><p>The Ozarks Schools Benefits Association, or OSBA, is a self-funded cooperative consortium for health care purposes. It provides employee benefits to public school districts across Missouri. It offers a range of insurance options including medical, dental, vision and life coverage at competitive rates by pooling resources from member districts.</p><p>OSBA, which represents more than 120 school districts across Missouri, could face future challenges as a result of the failed negotiations between MU Health Care and Anthem. Tim Ryan, OSBA president and superintendent of the Dallas County R-I School District in Buffalo, Missouri, explained how the breakdown may affect the association moving forward.</p><p>“Ultimately all of those (medical) bills that are paid out come from a self-funded plan,” Ryan said. “So even though my district doesn’t necessarily … use that system, overall we share the same funds in our health care plan.”</p><p>The failed negotiations will impact rates in the future, Ryan said.</p><p>“As we look to future years, we might have higher rate increases just based on this negotiation between Anthem and MU,” he said. “Because ultimately it comes down to what we have in our reserves, and what is our anticipated cost for the upcoming year. So we might have larger increases in the future which would be the biggest piece that has an impact on all 120 school districts in our association.”</p><p>Some Anthem members receiving intensive or ongoing treatment may still qualify for in-network rates at MU Health Care through a continuity-of-care plan, which provides a minimum 90-day window to apply.</p><p>“Ultimately it’s going to cost our association more for any individual that receives health care through the MU Health Care system,” Ryan said.</p><p>Ryan is confident that Anthem and MU Health Care will reach an agreement eventually.</p><p>“It’s a bottom line issue,” he said. “We all share the funds, so ultimately there will be some sort of a rate increase in the future due to this more than likely, unless we can find other ways to reduce costs.”</p><p>MU Health Care spokesperson Eric Maze said the health care system does not expect an agreement with Anthem in the future.</p><p>“We are not optimistic that we will reach an agreement with Anthem in the foreseeable future,” Maze said. “The most recent proposal we received from Anthem doesn’t differ meaningfully from what they offered in fall 2024 or from the terms of the agreement that ended in March.”</p><p>“More specifically, it doesn’t address the increases in expenses that MU Health Care and other health systems are experiencing, parity with the rates paid by other managed care companies in the region or parity with the rates Anthem pays other academic health systems,” he added.</p><p>Maze pointed to rising premiums over the past decade as evidence of a growing disconnect between what employers pay and what providers receive.</p><p>He explained in regard to employee benefit increases, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance’s 2023 Health Insurance Market Report outlined how Anthem and its peers increased annual premiums to employer groups by as much as 37% over the last decade, but they did not pass on those rate increases to health care providers.</p><p>In addition to the financial impact to the OSBA, Ryan believes the failed negotiations will also impact trust for employees who use the health care system.</p><p>“I know most other people are probably like me when you find a doctor or physician that you really like seeing on a regular basis, it’s very difficult to change. Especially if it’s your primary care,” he said. “So there’s going to be a lack of trust there with MU.”</p><p>MU Health Care maintains contract agreements with other major insurers including UnitedHealthcare.</p><p>“We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for many of our patients with Anthem insurance and our goal remains to come to an agreement,” Maze said. “It’s important to note that MU Health Care remains in network with most major insurers.”</p><p>This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/higher_education/mu-health-care-anthem-negotiations-have-far-reaching-impact-on-employee-benefits/article_4efaaee7-2497-4c19-bbcb-51915802d83e.html#tncms-source=topstory" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.</p>

University of Missouri Health Care, Anthem negotiations have far reaching impact

SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY —A case of measles has been confirmed in Sedgwick County&nbsp;in an unvaccinated child between the ages of 5 and 10 years old, the county health department reported on its website Wednesday.

Sedgwick County officials are working to identify the source of exposure and notify anyone who may have been exposed. The health department urged residents to review their vaccination status and consult their healthcare provider if they have symptoms.

Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported three new case of measles over the past week in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp; The state's updated report did not include the case just announced in Sedgwick County.

Kansas has 49 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state as of Wednesday, including Morton Stevens, Haskell, Kiowa, Grant, Finney, Ford and Gray counties. One person remains hospitalized, according to the KDHE.

North Dakota is the 11th state in the U.S. with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">measles outbreak</a>, logging its first cases since 2011.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-mmr-vaccine-texas-rfk-ff8e744b19ead87698d7217de02814ee">measles case</a>&nbsp;count is 935, more than triple the amount seen in all of 2024. The three-month outbreak in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">Texas</a>&nbsp;accounts for the vast majority of cases, with 702 confirmed as of Tuesday. The outbreak has also spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas.</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;died from measles-related illnesses in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">the epicenter in West Texas,</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness.

Other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

North America has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">two other ongoing outbreaks</a>. One in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/24/measles-ontario-epi-summary.pdf?rev=323859266e21469b8b97a294d6c6f98e&amp;sc_lang=en">1,243 cases</a>&nbsp;from mid-October through April 29. And the Mexican state of Chihuahua had 922 measles cases and one death as of Tuesday, according to data from the state health ministry. Health officials in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON561">Mexico</a>&nbsp;and the U.S. say all three outbreaks are of the same measles strain.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">preventable through vaccines</a>, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

As the virus takes hold in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">U.S. communities with low vaccination rates</a>, health experts fear that spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">could stretch on for a year</a>. Here's what else you&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">need to know about measles in the U.S.</a>

What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html">measles, mumps and rubella</a>&nbsp;vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.

People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because most children back then had measles and now have “presumptive immunity.”

In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called “herd immunity.”

But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots. The U.S. saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-cdc-outbreak-chicago-mmr-vaccine-7ecdfef41e6dbd659c7ac8b80d5de38f">a rise in measles cases in 2024</a>, including an outbreak in Chicago that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-chicago-migrant-shelter-cdc-e58517c830f73e42266d45d45983c12b">sickened more than 60.</a>

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html">dangerous complications</a>&nbsp;such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741908329913.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY —A case of measles has been confirmed in Sedgwick County&nbsp;in an unvaccinated child between the ages of 5 and 10 years old, the county health department reported on its website Wednesday.</p><p>Sedgwick County officials are working to identify the source of exposure and notify anyone who may have been exposed. The health department urged residents to review their vaccination status and consult their healthcare provider if they have symptoms.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported three new case of measles over the past week in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp; The state's updated report did not include the case just announced in Sedgwick County.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746639344474.png" alt="KDHE image" />
                        <figcaption>KDHE image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Kansas has 49 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state as of Wednesday, including Morton Stevens, Haskell, Kiowa, Grant, Finney, Ford and Gray counties. One person remains hospitalized, according to the KDHE.</p><p>North Dakota is the 11th state in the U.S. with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">measles outbreak</a>, logging its first cases since 2011.</p><p>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-mmr-vaccine-texas-rfk-ff8e744b19ead87698d7217de02814ee">measles case</a>&nbsp;count is 935, more than triple the amount seen in all of 2024. The three-month outbreak in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">Texas</a>&nbsp;accounts for the vast majority of cases, with 702 confirmed as of Tuesday. The outbreak has also spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas.</a></p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;died from measles-related illnesses in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">the epicenter in West Texas,</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness.</p><p>Other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.</p><p>North America has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">two other ongoing outbreaks</a>. One in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/24/measles-ontario-epi-summary.pdf?rev=323859266e21469b8b97a294d6c6f98e&amp;sc_lang=en">1,243 cases</a>&nbsp;from mid-October through April 29. And the Mexican state of Chihuahua had 922 measles cases and one death as of Tuesday, according to data from the state health ministry. Health officials in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON561">Mexico</a>&nbsp;and the U.S. say all three outbreaks are of the same measles strain.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">preventable through vaccines</a>, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.</p><p>As the virus takes hold in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">U.S. communities with low vaccination rates</a>, health experts fear that spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">could stretch on for a year</a>. Here's what else you&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">need to know about measles in the U.S.</a></p><h2>What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?</h2><p>The best way to avoid measles is to get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html">measles, mumps and rubella</a>&nbsp;vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.</p><p>Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.</p><p>People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because most children back then had measles and now have “presumptive immunity.”</p><p>In communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — diseases like measles have a harder time spreading through communities. This is called “herd immunity.”</p><p>But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots. The U.S. saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-cdc-outbreak-chicago-mmr-vaccine-7ecdfef41e6dbd659c7ac8b80d5de38f">a rise in measles cases in 2024</a>, including an outbreak in Chicago that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-chicago-migrant-shelter-cdc-e58517c830f73e42266d45d45983c12b">sickened more than 60.</a></p><h2>What are the symptoms of measles?</h2><p>Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.</p><p>The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.</p><p>Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html">dangerous complications</a>&nbsp;such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.</p><h2>How can you treat measles?</h2><p>There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.</p><ul>
                        <li>People who are at risk for measles infection are those who have not been vaccinated.</li><li>Babies 6 to 11 months old in Sedgwick County can now receive the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine ahead of schedule&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1493" target="_blank">per KDHE</a>. Children should then follow the recommended vaccination schedule as they get older.</li><li>If you have not been vaccinated or are unsure, call your healthcare provider or the Sedgwick County Health Department at&nbsp;316-660-7300&nbsp;to schedule a MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination.</li>
                    </ul>

Measles outbreak continues to grow in Kansas 

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a road rage incident in Manhattan.

Just after noon Tuesday, officers filed a report of aggravated assault near the intersection of 68th Avenue and Deer Trail Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 A 61-year-old man reported that a 59-year-old woman armed herself with a handgun and discharged it during a road rage incident. No persons were injured during the event. 

Just before 2p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 59-year-old Tracey Meredith of Manhattan in the 2700 block of Brookhollow Court on requested charges aggravated assault. Meredith met the requirement of $5000 bond and is no longer in custody.

<p>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a road rage incident in Manhattan.</p><p>Just after noon Tuesday, officers filed a report of aggravated assault near the intersection of 68th Avenue and Deer Trail Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.</p><p> A 61-year-old man reported that a 59-year-old woman armed herself with a handgun and discharged it during a road rage incident. No persons were injured during the event. </p><p>Just before 2p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 59-year-old Tracey Meredith of Manhattan in the 2700 block of Brookhollow Court on requested charges aggravated assault. Meredith met the requirement of $5000 bond and is no longer in custody.</p>

Road Rage: Kan. woman accused of firing handgun at man

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement across the Kansas City metro conducted a violent crimes initiative over the past week. Officers from the KCPD Special Investigations Division worked with the FBI, ATF, DEA, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Missouri Probation and Parole.

Officers arrested 96 people&nbsp; across federal, state, and city charges/warrants, according to a statement from the Kansas City Police Department. This included four homicide suspects.

The officers also recovered 24 handguns and issued 89 new charges. Officers recovered meth, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and other drugs.

<p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement across the Kansas City metro conducted a violent crimes initiative over the past week. Officers from the KCPD Special Investigations Division worked with the FBI, ATF, DEA, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Missouri Probation and Parole.</p><p>Officers arrested 96 people&nbsp; across federal, state, and city charges/warrants, according to a statement from the Kansas City Police Department. This included four homicide suspects.</p><p>The officers also recovered 24 handguns and issued 89 new charges. Officers recovered meth, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and other drugs.</p>

4 homicide suspects among 96 arrested in KC violent crime bust

Lawmakers have until Friday to finish work on state spending for the coming year. They must find agreement on school funding, child care subsidies and more than 300 new earmarked items

A provision quietly tucked into the state budget last week to allow the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.casino.org/news/lottery-courier-lotto-com-celebrates-2m-customer-milestone/" target="_blank">bulk online purchase of lottery tickets</a>&nbsp;has set off a flurry of lobbying on both sides of the issue as lawmakers finalize their work this week on Missouri’s $49.5 billion spending plan.&nbsp;

The change, which was added by the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee without any public debate, would open the door for lottery courier services — companies that charge fees to buy lottery tickets on behalf of customers. The business model has proven controversial in other states, even sparking a criminal investigation in Texas.&nbsp;

The Senate finished debating the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/30/missouri-senate-approves-budget-plan-with-boost-for-schools-child-care/">state operating budget</a>&nbsp;about midnight on Tuesday of last week and by Thursday, lobbyists were bending the ears of lawmakers with seats on the conference committee that will decide the provision’s fate.

Lobbyists working for casinos and the bill to allow&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/31/bill-regulating-video-gambling-faces-hazy-future-with-weeks-left-in-missouris-legislative-session/">video lottery games</a>&nbsp;— groups generally at odds — are opposing it. The major lottery courier companies like Jackpocket and Lotto.com have hired veteran Jefferson City lobbyists to push for their interests in Missouri.

“I had six or seven people come pull me off the (House) floor to talk about that language specifically,” said state Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. “They are concerned with doing it through the budget and making the argument that we’re legislating through the budget and that should be a statutory conversation.”

All budget decisions must be made before this week’s&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">6 p.m. Friday constitutional deadline</a>. Conference committees on 13 spending bills making up the operating budget must settle differences on hundreds of items, including the lottery language, and close the $1.6 billion gap between the House and Senate on total spending.

The lottery provision in the Senate budget — about 125 words in all — directs the Missouri Lottery to launch a three-year pilot program “allowing the digital delivery of lottery tickets by lottery couriers through a brick and mortar licensed retailer to adults physically present in Missouri at the time of order.”

The language also exempts the sales from lottery rules barring retailers from altering the price of tickets. Courier services typically add a 15% to 25% surcharge on the cost of tickets.

That is far more than licensed lottery retailers make selling tickets. Lottery retailers are paid a 5% commission on the tickets they sell and 2% for cashing tickets up to $600.

“It doesn’t say that our Missouri lottery has to utilize this,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough, a Springfield Republican. “It just kind of opens it up for them to use it if they wanted to.”

There are 45 states that have lotteries, but only nine allow lottery courier services. Some allow courier services to deliver their tickets anywhere in the world, while others, like the provision in the Missouri budget, only allow it for residents of their state.

Questions raised about courier operations led the Texas Lottery Commission last week to ban ticket sales through couriers,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tpr.org/economy-and-labor/2025-04-29/texas-lottery-commission-passes-ban-on-purchasing-lotto-tickets-through-online-courier-services" target="_blank">Texas Public Radio reported</a>. The issues being confronted in Texas included an April 2023 drawing won by a consortium led by London-based trader Bernard Marantelli, which bought&nbsp;<a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/29/us-news/inside-the-scheme-to-buy-25m-tickets-and-win-the-texas-lottery/" target="_blank">all 25.8 million possible number combinations</a>&nbsp;to win a $92 million prize.

Lottery sales in Missouri fell by $50 million in the most recent fiscal year and transfers from sales to education programs are down 15% in the current year. The lottery provides about 4% of the state’s total education funding.

The Missouri Lottery, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment on the proposal.

Hough said he did not know about the issues in Texas when he added the language and the lottery director was indifferent to the idea.

“My guess is it probably comes out,” Hough said.

In the four months leading up to last week’s debate, Hough met with a parade of visitors to his office where they discussed budget requests in private.

Almost every change made by the Senate committee to the House’s version of the budget was done by Hough directing the decision. He made cuts, stated the new sections for earmarks and the other 12 members generally were silent.

In all,&nbsp; the Senate put 169 earmarked items into the operating budget while cutting 57 of 105 House earmarks.

New state Sen. Joe Nicola, a Republican from Independence, complained at the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/30/missouri-senate-approves-budget-plan-with-boost-for-schools-child-care/">end of the budget debate</a>&nbsp;that the Senate should have more than five hours to debate the budget because of its complexity of the budget and the often-obscure language used to identify the target of earmarks.The lottery courier language that appeared in the budget for the first time in the Senate Appropriations Committee is an example of the issue he has with the process, Nicola said.

“The whole chairmanship and the whole committee, and the way senators have to ask for budget items, all of that is bogus,” Nicola said. “It’s all deal making, bogus stuff.”

Hough defended the Senate budget process as transparent because each budget item, as proposed by the governor, was aired in a public hearing and the changes were announced in public.

“We run as open and transparent a budget process as there is in this business,” Hough said. “We go through requests from not just specific senators but also representatives and stakeholders and advocacy groups all over the state in a very open way.”

Nicola visited him to ask for budget items, Hough noted at a news conference Thursday.

“I visited with Senator Nicola a number of times on a number of specific items that I will more than gladly remind him are actually in the budget now, per his request,” Hough said. “So, in my opinion, I think it probably worked pretty well for him.”

Senate leadership from both parties said they are comfortable with that process and back Hough.

“I give credit to Sen. Hough, who’s run a good process there,” said Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck , a Democrat fromAffton. “Everybody has their say in it.”

What to some may appear to be mysterious is actually hundreds of hours of work and attention to detail that should be admired, O’Laughlin said.

“We’re in a strong position heading into conference with the House, and I’m confident that we’ll finish with the budget that Missourians can be proud of,” O’Laughlin said.

The biggest change needed in the budget process, Nicola said, is for the public to easily know which lawmaker or stakeholder asked for an earmark.

In the U.S. Congress, members put their earmark requests on their web sites. U.S. Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat, has six projects costing $21 million&nbsp;<a href="https://cleaver.house.gov/constituent-services/member-designated-transportation-infrastructure-project-disclosure" target="_blank">on his infrastructure list</a>, while U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, a Republican from Tarkio, has $322 million on&nbsp;<a href="https://graves.house.gov/services/community-project-funding-requests" target="_blank">his list for the current fiscal year</a>.&nbsp;

The legislature should also publish the name of the lawmaker or entity requesting money, Nicola said.

“As much transparency as we can have, I am completely for,” Nicola said. “Transparency to our constituents and to everybody else of what’s going on here.”

Missouri is sitting on an historically high surplus of general revenue, with $3.8 billion on hand at the end of April as well as another $1.4 billion that can be spent like general revenue.

Both the Senate and the House spending plans would reduce that surplus. The Senate would spend $15.7 billion on operations, the House would spend $14.4 billion and both are well above the $13.6 billion estimated as general revenue receipts for the coming year.

But with current revenues almost 2% from last year, the call on the surplus could grow. Based on revenues through Friday, that difference could be as much as $100 million.

Before the conference committees meet, Hough and House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton will meet privately to find agreement on as many items as possible and present those decisions at the meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.

The biggest issues that must be resolved are $300 million the Senate added money for public schools, plus $107 million for child care that the House did not approve. The Senate also spent more on state employee pay raises and higher education.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746614239543.png" alt=" Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough, right, and Vice Chairman Rusty Black speak with state budget director Dan Haug April 16 during a break in committee work (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
                        <figcaption> Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough, right, and Vice Chairman Rusty Black speak with state budget director Dan Haug April 16 during a break in committee work (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Lawmakers have until Friday to finish work on state spending for the coming year. They must find agreement on school funding, child care subsidies and more than 300 new earmarked items</h2><p>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a></p><p>A provision quietly tucked into the state budget last week to allow the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.casino.org/news/lottery-courier-lotto-com-celebrates-2m-customer-milestone/" target="_blank">bulk online purchase of lottery tickets</a>&nbsp;has set off a flurry of lobbying on both sides of the issue as lawmakers finalize their work this week on Missouri’s $49.5 billion spending plan.&nbsp;</p><p>The change, which was added by the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee without any public debate, would open the door for lottery courier services — companies that charge fees to buy lottery tickets on behalf of customers. The business model has proven controversial in other states, even sparking a criminal investigation in Texas.&nbsp;</p><p>The Senate finished debating the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/30/missouri-senate-approves-budget-plan-with-boost-for-schools-child-care/">state operating budget</a>&nbsp;about midnight on Tuesday of last week and by Thursday, lobbyists were bending the ears of lawmakers with seats on the conference committee that will decide the provision’s fate.</p><p>Lobbyists working for casinos and the bill to allow&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/31/bill-regulating-video-gambling-faces-hazy-future-with-weeks-left-in-missouris-legislative-session/">video lottery games</a>&nbsp;— groups generally at odds — are opposing it. The major lottery courier companies like Jackpocket and Lotto.com have hired veteran Jefferson City lobbyists to push for their interests in Missouri.</p><p>“I had six or seven people come pull me off the (House) floor to talk about that language specifically,” said state Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. “They are concerned with doing it through the budget and making the argument that we’re legislating through the budget and that should be a statutory conversation.”</p><p>All budget decisions must be made before this week’s&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">6 p.m. Friday constitutional deadline</a>. Conference committees on 13 spending bills making up the operating budget must settle differences on hundreds of items, including the lottery language, and close the $1.6 billion gap between the House and Senate on total spending.</p><p>The lottery provision in the Senate budget — about 125 words in all — directs the Missouri Lottery to launch a three-year pilot program “allowing the digital delivery of lottery tickets by lottery couriers through a brick and mortar licensed retailer to adults physically present in Missouri at the time of order.”</p><p>The language also exempts the sales from lottery rules barring retailers from altering the price of tickets. Courier services typically add a 15% to 25% surcharge on the cost of tickets.</p><p>That is far more than licensed lottery retailers make selling tickets. Lottery retailers are paid a 5% commission on the tickets they sell and 2% for cashing tickets up to $600.</p><p>“It doesn’t say that our Missouri lottery has to utilize this,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough, a Springfield Republican. “It just kind of opens it up for them to use it if they wanted to.”</p><p>There are 45 states that have lotteries, but only nine allow lottery courier services. Some allow courier services to deliver their tickets anywhere in the world, while others, like the provision in the Missouri budget, only allow it for residents of their state.</p><p>Questions raised about courier operations led the Texas Lottery Commission last week to ban ticket sales through couriers,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tpr.org/economy-and-labor/2025-04-29/texas-lottery-commission-passes-ban-on-purchasing-lotto-tickets-through-online-courier-services" target="_blank">Texas Public Radio reported</a>. The issues being confronted in Texas included an April 2023 drawing won by a consortium led by London-based trader Bernard Marantelli, which bought&nbsp;<a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/29/us-news/inside-the-scheme-to-buy-25m-tickets-and-win-the-texas-lottery/" target="_blank">all 25.8 million possible number combinations</a>&nbsp;to win a $92 million prize.</p><p>Lottery sales in Missouri fell by $50 million in the most recent fiscal year and transfers from sales to education programs are down 15% in the current year. The lottery provides about 4% of the state’s total education funding.</p><p>The Missouri Lottery, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment on the proposal.</p><p>Hough said he did not know about the issues in Texas when he added the language and the lottery director was indifferent to the idea.</p><p>“My guess is it probably comes out,” Hough said.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746614204610.png" alt=" State Sen. Joe Nicola laughs during his introduction to the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
                        <figcaption> State Sen. Joe Nicola laughs during his introduction to the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Transparency complaints</h2><p>In the four months leading up to last week’s debate, Hough met with a parade of visitors to his office where they discussed budget requests in private.</p><p>Almost every change made by the Senate committee to the House’s version of the budget was done by Hough directing the decision. He made cuts, stated the new sections for earmarks and the other 12 members generally were silent.</p><p>In all,&nbsp; the Senate put 169 earmarked items into the operating budget while cutting 57 of 105 House earmarks.</p><p>New state Sen. Joe Nicola, a Republican from Independence, complained at the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/30/missouri-senate-approves-budget-plan-with-boost-for-schools-child-care/">end of the budget debate</a>&nbsp;that the Senate should have more than five hours to debate the budget because of its complexity of the budget and the often-obscure language used to identify the target of earmarks.The lottery courier language that appeared in the budget for the first time in the Senate Appropriations Committee is an example of the issue he has with the process, Nicola said.</p><p>“The whole chairmanship and the whole committee, and the way senators have to ask for budget items, all of that is bogus,” Nicola said. “It’s all deal making, bogus stuff.”</p><p>Hough defended the Senate budget process as transparent because each budget item, as proposed by the governor, was aired in a public hearing and the changes were announced in public.</p><p>“We run as open and transparent a budget process as there is in this business,” Hough said. “We go through requests from not just specific senators but also representatives and stakeholders and advocacy groups all over the state in a very open way.”</p><p>Nicola visited him to ask for budget items, Hough noted at a news conference Thursday.</p><p>“I visited with Senator Nicola a number of times on a number of specific items that I will more than gladly remind him are actually in the budget now, per his request,” Hough said. “So, in my opinion, I think it probably worked pretty well for him.”</p><p>Senate leadership from both parties said they are comfortable with that process and back Hough.</p><p>“I give credit to Sen. Hough, who’s run a good process there,” said Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck , a Democrat fromAffton. “Everybody has their say in it.”</p><p>What to some may appear to be mysterious is actually hundreds of hours of work and attention to detail that should be admired, O’Laughlin said.</p><p>“We’re in a strong position heading into conference with the House, and I’m confident that we’ll finish with the budget that Missourians can be proud of,” O’Laughlin said.</p><p>The biggest change needed in the budget process, Nicola said, is for the public to easily know which lawmaker or stakeholder asked for an earmark.</p><p>In the U.S. Congress, members put their earmark requests on their web sites. U.S. Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat, has six projects costing $21 million&nbsp;<a href="https://cleaver.house.gov/constituent-services/member-designated-transportation-infrastructure-project-disclosure" target="_blank">on his infrastructure list</a>, while U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, a Republican from Tarkio, has $322 million on&nbsp;<a href="https://graves.house.gov/services/community-project-funding-requests" target="_blank">his list for the current fiscal year</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>The legislature should also publish the name of the lawmaker or entity requesting money, Nicola said.</p><p>“As much transparency as we can have, I am completely for,” Nicola said. “Transparency to our constituents and to everybody else of what’s going on here.”</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746614170062.png" alt=" Missouri House Democratic Leader Ashley Aune of Kansas City makes a point Thursday during a news conference with other Democratic lawmakers (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)," />
                        <figcaption> Missouri House Democratic Leader Ashley Aune of Kansas City makes a point Thursday during a news conference with other Democratic lawmakers (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent),</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Conference questions</h2><p>Missouri is sitting on an historically high surplus of general revenue, with $3.8 billion on hand at the end of April as well as another $1.4 billion that can be spent like general revenue.</p><p>Both the Senate and the House spending plans would reduce that surplus. The Senate would spend $15.7 billion on operations, the House would spend $14.4 billion and both are well above the $13.6 billion estimated as general revenue receipts for the coming year.</p><p>But with current revenues almost 2% from last year, the call on the surplus could grow. Based on revenues through Friday, that difference could be as much as $100 million.</p><p>Before the conference committees meet, Hough and House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton will meet privately to find agreement on as many items as possible and present those decisions at the meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.</p><p>The biggest issues that must be resolved are $300 million the Senate added money for public schools, plus $107 million for child care that the House did not approve. The Senate also spent more on state employee pay raises and higher education.</p><p>The House approved $50 million to expand a tuition scholarship program for private schools that the Senate omitted.</p><p>Democrats, who hold fewer than one-third of the seats in the General Assembly, are generally pleased with the budget, preferring the Senate version on several items. But House Democrats feel their negotiating position on two of the biggest — foundation formula funding and money for private school tuition scholarships — was undermined when House Speaker Jon Patterson rejected some of their selections for the negotiations.</p><p>During a news conference last week, Democrats said most of their caucus supports the Senate spending proposals on public schools and child care and opposes the scholarship funding.</p><p>But the party did not get its preferred representatives on the 13 conference committees — one for each spending bill — because instead of including the ranking Democrat from appropriations subcommittees, as recommended, Patterson chose another member.</p><p>The biggest surprise was the selection of state Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis Democrat who does not sit on the Budget Committee but has sided with Republicans on school choice bills.</p><p>“To come down to the very end of this process and feel disrespected at the end is a huge disappointment to me,” said House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City. “It’s a huge disappointment to our budget team, and to say that I am a little frustrated by it would be probably an understatement.”</p><p>Patterson said he appointed Terry because she is his Democratic appointment to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/23/missouri-governors-school-funding-task-force-assembles-slowly/">a school funding task force</a>&nbsp;created by Gov. Mike Kehoe and a long-time school board member. She also supports the scholarship funding, he noted.</p><p>“I want Rep. Terry to fight for school kids in the best way that she knows how. I think she is supportive of that,” Patterson said.</p><p>The conferees must also determine the fate of earmarked spending — items delivering money to a specific location or program at the request of individual lawmakers, state institutions or lobbying interests.</p><p>“I wouldn’t anticipate that all investments for our local nonprofits and for communities back home will see themselves across the finish line,” Fogle said.”But we as Democrats will be at the table to try to make sure that we’re making the fiscally responsible investments in our nonprofits, in our communities back home, whether it be an infrastructure investment or an investment with a nonprofit whose whose goal is to provide pathos out of poverty for families.”</p><p>Defending the earmarks at a news conference Thursday, Hough said that many provide only a portion of the money needed for a project and require local and private matching funds to spend the state funds.</p><p>“This invests,” Hough said, “in apprenticeship programs, workforce development programs, infrastructure projects all over the state.”&nbsp;</p>