JOHNSON COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a fourplex in Overland Park.

Crews responded just before 8a.m. Wednesday to the fire&nbsp;at 116th Terrace and Bluejacket, according to a social media report from Overland Park Fire. It took 50 minutes to bring fire under control.

Fire crews found one dog deceased. Another dog was reported missing. Residents from 2 units are displaced. Fire crews from Olathe and Lenexa also responded to the scene. There were no other injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739999731120.png" alt="Images from Overland Park Fire Dept. video" />
 <figcaption>Images from Overland Park Fire Dept. video</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a fourplex in Overland Park.Crews responded just before 8a.m. Wednesday to the fire&nbsp;at 116th Terrace and Bluejacket, according to a social media report from Overland Park Fire. It took 50 minutes to bring fire under control.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740000071683.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fire crews found one dog deceased. Another dog was reported missing. Residents from 2 units are displaced. Fire crews from Olathe and Lenexa also responded to the scene. There were no other injuries reported.

2 pets die in Kansas fourplex fire

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

TOPEKA — Daniel Shipp, president of Pittsburg State University in southeast Kansas for nearly three years, has been hired to lead Maryville University in suburban St. Louis.

Shipp was chosen to succeed&nbsp;Mark Lombardi, who plans to retire after 18 years at the private university. Shipp is to begin his new duties in June.

“I am inspired by Maryville’s bold vision, its commitment to expanding access and opportunity and its innovative approach to education,” Shipp said.

In a note to PSU faculty, he said “we’ve made significant progress that has been critically important to the success of this beloved institution and the many communities we serve in southeast Kansas. I am more than proud to have successfully served as your president during this transformational period of time.”

Maryville University was founded in 1872 and enrolls more than 9,000 students at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. Nearly half of the university’s students pursue health or business degrees. The university serves students from 50 states and 56 countries, and has more than 50,000 alumni.

Carl Ice, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Shipp prioritized student success at PSU. During his tenure, PSU increased on-time graduate rates, expanded student financial aid and reduced student debt. He said Shipp consented to remain at PSU through the end of May.

Rick Webb, executive chairman of the Watco transportation company, was named chairman of the PSU presidential search committee by the Kansas Board of Regents. Webb earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from PSU.

“As an alumnus of the university, an experienced business leader and engaged member of the Pittsburg community, Rick brings the skills and dedication needed to lead the committee’s work of identifying candidates,” Ice said.

Prior to taking the PSU presidential job in April 2022, Shipp was vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and associate to the chancellor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and executive vice president and provost of the University of Nebraska System. He previously held administration positions in student affairs and enrollment management at University of Nebraska at Omaha.

He earned a doctorate at University of the Pacific, a master’s degree at Nebraska-Omaha and a bachelor’s degree at University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740050283794.png" alt="Pittsburg State University President Daniel Shipp intends to resign by June 1 to assume the presidency of Maryville University, a private institution in the suburbs of St. Louis. (submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Pittsburg State University President Daniel Shipp intends to resign by June 1 to assume the presidency of Maryville University, a private institution in the suburbs of St. Louis. (submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Daniel Shipp, president of Pittsburg State University in southeast Kansas for nearly three years, has been hired to lead Maryville University in suburban St. Louis.Shipp was chosen to succeed&nbsp;Mark Lombardi, who plans to retire after 18 years at the private university. Shipp is to begin his new duties in June.“I am inspired by Maryville’s bold vision, its commitment to expanding access and opportunity and its innovative approach to education,” Shipp said.In a note to PSU faculty, he said “we’ve made significant progress that has been critically important to the success of this beloved institution and the many communities we serve in southeast Kansas. I am more than proud to have successfully served as your president during this transformational period of time.”Maryville University was founded in 1872 and enrolls more than 9,000 students at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. Nearly half of the university’s students pursue health or business degrees. The university serves students from 50 states and 56 countries, and has more than 50,000 alumni.Carl Ice, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Shipp prioritized student success at PSU. During his tenure, PSU increased on-time graduate rates, expanded student financial aid and reduced student debt. He said Shipp consented to remain at PSU through the end of May.Rick Webb, executive chairman of the Watco transportation company, was named chairman of the PSU presidential search committee by the Kansas Board of Regents. Webb earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from PSU.“As an alumnus of the university, an experienced business leader and engaged member of the Pittsburg community, Rick brings the skills and dedication needed to lead the committee’s work of identifying candidates,” Ice said.Prior to taking the PSU presidential job in April 2022, Shipp was vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and associate to the chancellor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and executive vice president and provost of the University of Nebraska System. He previously held administration positions in student affairs and enrollment management at University of Nebraska at Omaha.He earned a doctorate at University of the Pacific, a master’s degree at Nebraska-Omaha and a bachelor’s degree at University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Pittsburg State president accepts top academic post at private Missouri university

WASHINGTON —U.S. forces conducted a Bomber Task Force Mission in the Middle East, this week to demonstrate force projection capabilities in the region, according to a statement from the&nbsp;U.S. Central Command.

The test involved the flight of two&nbsp; B-52 H Long-Range Strategic Bombers from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom across the Middle East. 

During the Flight, the Bombers flew over Europe as well as nine partner nations in the Middle East, carrying out Aerial-Refueling and Live-Munitions Drops at ranges in several nations. Additionally, U.S. Air Force F-15s as well as Fighter Jets from 4 Allied Air Forces in CENTCOM’s Area-of-Responsibility, provided escorts during the mission.

“Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate U.S. power projection capability, commitment to regional security, and ability to respond to any state or non-state actor seeking to broaden or escalate conflict in the CENTCOM region,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740002612425.png" alt="Image from video during the mission- U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Image from video during the mission- U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —U.S. forces conducted a Bomber Task Force Mission in the Middle East, this week to demonstrate force projection capabilities in the region, according to a statement from the&nbsp;U.S. Central Command.The test involved the flight of two&nbsp; B-52 H Long-Range Strategic Bombers from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom across the Middle East. During the Flight, the Bombers flew over Europe as well as nine partner nations in the Middle East, carrying out Aerial-Refueling and Live-Munitions Drops at ranges in several nations. Additionally, U.S. Air Force F-15s as well as Fighter Jets from 4 Allied Air Forces in CENTCOM’s Area-of-Responsibility, provided escorts during the mission.“Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate U.S. power projection capability, commitment to regional security, and ability to respond to any state or non-state actor seeking to broaden or escalate conflict in the CENTCOM region,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander.

Show of force: U.S. sends bomber task force over the Middle East

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in an overdose death, according to the United State's Attorney.

Jacob A. Block, 27, Olathe was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Block to forfeit to the government $10,000, which represents the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.

On Feb. 1, 2024, Block pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and to one count of distributing fentanyl. 

Block admitted that he delivered 10 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) to a confidential informant. Block possessed an additional 150 to 300 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) at the time of this transaction.&nbsp; Block also admitted he sold a co-defendant approximately seven grams of powder fentanyl and 50 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) five to seven days a week, for six or seven months.

All 13 defendants in this case have pleaded guilty. Block is the ninth defendant to be sentenced.

Co-defendant Dmitry Cattell, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 2, 2024, to 21 years in federal prison without parole for leading the drug-trafficking conspiracy and for illegally possessing a firearm. Evidence was presented at Cattell’s sentencing hearing related to the delivery of fentanyl, the use of which caused the death of another person on May 18, 2020. The victim of the fatal overdose is not identified in court documents.

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in an overdose death, according to the United State's Attorney.Jacob A. Block, 27, Olathe was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Block to forfeit to the government $10,000, which represents the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.On Feb. 1, 2024, Block pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and to one count of distributing fentanyl. Block admitted that he delivered 10 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) to a confidential informant. Block possessed an additional 150 to 300 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) at the time of this transaction.&nbsp; Block also admitted he sold a co-defendant approximately seven grams of powder fentanyl and 50 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl) five to seven days a week, for six or seven months.All 13 defendants in this case have pleaded guilty. Block is the ninth defendant to be sentenced.Co-defendant Dmitry Cattell, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on May 2, 2024, to 21 years in federal prison without parole for leading the drug-trafficking conspiracy and for illegally possessing a firearm. Evidence was presented at Cattell’s sentencing hearing related to the delivery of fentanyl, the use of which caused the death of another person on May 18, 2020. The victim of the fatal overdose is not identified in court documents.

Kansas fentanyl dealer sold to a confidential informant

BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Opponents say the bill’s language is too broad, affecting age-appropriate shows and theater performances

For the third year in a row, Missouri Republicans are trying to place restrictions on drag performances.

The effort has stalled in years past,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/07/restrictions-on-drag-performances-debated-by-missouri-house-committee/">clearing a House committee last year</a>&nbsp;but never coming up for debate in the Senate.

That changed Wednesday, when a Senate committee held a public hearing on&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/bill-text/introduced-sb295.pdf?c=46914" target="_blank">legislation sponsored by state Sen. Rick Brattin</a>, a Harrisonville Republican, that he argued was “geared towards protecting children from displays of sexual content.”

The bill would make it a class-A misdemeanor to participate in an “adult cabaret performance” in a public area or other space where children might see. A repeat violation becomes a class-E felony.

State Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance who chairs the Senate’s judiciary committee, discussed possible fixes to the bill’s definitions following opponent’s testifying that community theater could be impacted.

The issue is a definition of “adult cabaret performance” that includes “male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest or similar entertainers.”&nbsp;

Including “or similar entertainers,” opponents said, is too vague and may draw police to plays where women play male roles or a non-sexual performance by a transgender person.

Chris Lehman, co-founder of LGBTQ-focused entertainment company Nclusion+, said there are already “safeguards in place for all-ages drag.”

Lehman checks IDs before shows with racy performances, and kid-friendly routines are scrutinized to eliminate swearing and other mature content. Even music by Taylor Swift is censored and edited for a young audience, he said.

Schroer said the bill was tailored to not ban age-designated spaces and asked Lehman if parents should be allowed to take children to a “topless strip club.”

“Of course not,” Lehman said. “However, the rest of the bill language goes on and bundles everything together.”

Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/23/drag-performers-at-columbia-event-push-back-against-missouri-republican-attack/">criticized an Nclusion+ performance in 2023</a>&nbsp;where drag queens lip-synched to songs like “Hold on (for one more day)” by Wilson Phillips during a City of Columbia diversity event attended by middle-school students.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent the city’s mayor and the Columbia Public Schools superintendent letters accusing them of trying “actively to undermine Missouri’s laws by deliberately subjecting a group of middle-school students to an adult-themed drag show performance.”&nbsp;

Those letters have since been removed from the attorney general’s website.

Schroer mentioned that letter when questioning Cara Carter, a theater teacher in Columbia.

“It was alleged that kids were sent to a drag show on a field trip without parental consent,” he said.

Carter said the event had drag performers but was not wholly a drag show.

“I was in theater,” Schroer said. “And I think that we need to carefully define what we believe is drag that has the prurient interest and what doesn’t.”

Carter uses content warnings when shows have depictions of violence or other mature matters, she said, adding that these disclosures are “a much cleaner way of doing this than straight up banning it entirely.”

No one testified in favor of the bill, and the committee took no action on Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740000708426.png" alt="State Sen. Rick Brattin speaks as part of a Missouri Freedom Caucus press conference in 2024. Brattin, who sponsored a bill this year restricting drag performances, leads the Missouri Freedom Caucus (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Rick Brattin speaks as part of a Missouri Freedom Caucus press conference in 2024. Brattin, who sponsored a bill this year restricting drag performances, leads the Missouri Freedom Caucus (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>Opponents say the bill’s language is too broad, affecting age-appropriate shows and theater performances</h2>For the third year in a row, Missouri Republicans are trying to place restrictions on drag performances.The effort has stalled in years past,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/07/restrictions-on-drag-performances-debated-by-missouri-house-committee/">clearing a House committee last year</a>&nbsp;but never coming up for debate in the Senate.That changed Wednesday, when a Senate committee held a public hearing on&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/bill-text/introduced-sb295.pdf?c=46914" target="_blank">legislation sponsored by state Sen. Rick Brattin</a>, a Harrisonville Republican, that he argued was “geared towards protecting children from displays of sexual content.”The bill would make it a class-A misdemeanor to participate in an “adult cabaret performance” in a public area or other space where children might see. A repeat violation becomes a class-E felony.State Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance who chairs the Senate’s judiciary committee, discussed possible fixes to the bill’s definitions following opponent’s testifying that community theater could be impacted.The issue is a definition of “adult cabaret performance” that includes “male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest or similar entertainers.”&nbsp;Including “or similar entertainers,” opponents said, is too vague and may draw police to plays where women play male roles or a non-sexual performance by a transgender person.Chris Lehman, co-founder of LGBTQ-focused entertainment company Nclusion+, said there are already “safeguards in place for all-ages drag.”Lehman checks IDs before shows with racy performances, and kid-friendly routines are scrutinized to eliminate swearing and other mature content. Even music by Taylor Swift is censored and edited for a young audience, he said.Schroer said the bill was tailored to not ban age-designated spaces and asked Lehman if parents should be allowed to take children to a “topless strip club.”“Of course not,” Lehman said. “However, the rest of the bill language goes on and bundles everything together.”GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.SUBSCRIBELawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/23/drag-performers-at-columbia-event-push-back-against-missouri-republican-attack/">criticized an Nclusion+ performance in 2023</a>&nbsp;where drag queens lip-synched to songs like “Hold on (for one more day)” by Wilson Phillips during a City of Columbia diversity event attended by middle-school students.Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent the city’s mayor and the Columbia Public Schools superintendent letters accusing them of trying “actively to undermine Missouri’s laws by deliberately subjecting a group of middle-school students to an adult-themed drag show performance.”&nbsp;Those letters have since been removed from the attorney general’s website.Schroer mentioned that letter when questioning Cara Carter, a theater teacher in Columbia.“It was alleged that kids were sent to a drag show on a field trip without parental consent,” he said.Carter said the event had drag performers but was not wholly a drag show.“I was in theater,” Schroer said. “And I think that we need to carefully define what we believe is drag that has the prurient interest and what doesn’t.”Carter uses content warnings when shows have depictions of violence or other mature matters, she said, adding that these disclosures are “a much cleaner way of doing this than straight up banning it entirely.”No one testified in favor of the bill, and the committee took no action on Wednesday.

Missouri Republicans seek to criminalize certain drag shows witnessed by children

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

Kansas one of 10 states refusing to embrace wider Medicaid eligibility

TOPEKA — Kansas Senate Democrats attempted Tuesday to insert Medicaid expansion into a bill increasing legislative oversight over public assistance programs.

The outcome was the same in the Kansas House when a Democrat sought to drop a Medicaid reform package into a state government budget bill.

Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican, brought forth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb161/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 161</a>, which would require legislative approval for any changes to public assistance programs in Kansas if they seek to expand eligibility, increase costs to the state, request federal waivers or modify intellectual or developmental disability services.

A Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, Sen. Pat Pettey, took the opportunity during floor debate on the bill to introduce an amendment that would adopt the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans, or HAWK, Act.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and a handful of Democrats in the House and Senate announced in early February&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/06/kansas-governor-takes-another-swing-at-joining-41-states-that-have-expanded-medicaid/">the HAWK Act’s introduction</a>&nbsp;into both chambers. It was the governor’s seventh time trying for Medicaid expansion.

The proposal drew support from Democrats and health advocacy groups, but that support was tinged with criticism for a work requirement baked into the act.&nbsp;

It did not receive a hearing this session, Pettey pointed out Tuesday.

“Medicaid expansion is not political,” she said, referencing survey data that shows most Kansans support expansion or widespread access to affordable health care.&nbsp;

Kansas is one of 10 holdout states that have not expanded Medicaid.

“It saves lives,” Pettey said. “It saves Kansans money. It stabilizes rural hospitals. It brings taxpayers’ money back to Kansas.”

Pettey said the state has passed up on more than $8 billion by refusing to expand KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas.

Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, pushed back.

“I agree that it is not partisan,” he said, “but there is a whole host of reasons not to do it.”&nbsp;

He acknowledged the lack of discussion on Medicaid expansion this session and encouraged it to take place, rather than block consideration of Pettey’s amendment.

“It’s not like Kansas isn’t getting its money back,” Masterson said. “Kansas is doing the right thing and putting the right people at the front of the line.”

Democrats’ efforts were unsuccessful without the support of a majority of Republicans. Pettey’s amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20250218133629_925711/" target="_blank">failed</a>&nbsp;with 12 in favor — three Republicans and nine Democrats — and 28 Republicans opposed. Republicans who voted in favor were freshman Sen. Mike Argabright of Olpe, Sen. Rick Billinger of Goodland and Sen. Brenda Dietrich of Topeka.

Members of the Kansas House deflected an attempt to insert Medicaid expansion into next year’s state budget bill. The maneuver failed by a wide margin following lengthy debate. It was stopped with a roll call vote of 34-82. Republicans hold an 88-37 majority over Democrats in the House.

Rep. Suzanne Wikle, D-Lawrence, proposed a plan that would extend health coverage to about 150,000 lower-income workers across the state without costing the state treasury.

Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government must cover 90% of a state’s increased expenditures for Medicaid expansion. Congress adopted a supplemental incentive aimed at Kansas and other holdout states. The additional federal support would mean Kansas could save $78 million on Medicaid in the upcoming fiscal year by approving expansion.

“Budgets are a reflection of your priorities,” Wikle said. “Show me a budget and I’ll show you what you care about.”

Rep. Troy Waymaster, the Bunker Hill Republican who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, acknowledged the financial reality of Wikle’s proposal but urged lawmakers to reject her amendment.

“I recognize there might be some savings, but we need to vote this down,” Waymaster said. “If this were to pass, we’d have Medicaid expansion for one year. That’s it. Unless there is legislation that would pass in subsequent years.”

Rep. Nikki McDonald, D-Olathe, said it was frustrating House GOP leaders had again sought to stifle regular debate on fiscally responsible Medicaid expansion proposals in House committees and on the House floor. She urged rank-and-file Republicans to pressure their GOP leaders to bring about meaningful debate on Medicaid expansion rather than suppress an approach for improving access to affordable health care embraced by 40 states.

House members who didn’t believe it important to extend preventive health care to thousands of Kansans with modest incomes should take a different approach to Medicaid expansion, said Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park.

“If you’re not going to vote for this out of a moral reason, you should at least vote for this out of a cold-hearted business decision to make sure that our workforce is as healthy as possible so we can make sure we are working them as much as possible to help our economy,” Sawyer Clayton said.

In the Senate, the underlying bill on government efficiency was passed despite criticism from Democrats.

Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat, called the bill “inefficient” and said it added “layers of bureaucracy for even the simplest program changes.”

“That red tape could result in thousands of Kansans being unable to get time-sensitive help,” she said.&nbsp;

When the Legislature is not in session, oversight of public assistance program changes would shift to the Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of the governor and House and Senate leadership.&nbsp;

More than half a dozen advocacy organizations indicated their opposition to the bill at a hearing before the GOP-led Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, which was created in response to and modeled after the federal initiative under billionaire Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which is not actually a federal department. However, Shawnee Republican Sen. Mike Thompson indicated at the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/17/kansas-senates-efficiency-committee-embraces-trio-of-bills-aimed-at-state-spending/">hearing</a>&nbsp;the bill could be a solution to complaints over the Kelly administration’s pursuit of changes to intellectual and developmental disabilities programs.

During the hearing and again on the Senate floor, Holscher said the bill could put at risk Kansas’ existing share of Medicaid funds, more than $3 billion for fiscal year 2025. That could be the case if certain federal deadlines, such as those associated with payment rate adjustments, are not met.&nbsp;

Legislators pushed bills through the Senate at a rapid clip Tuesday ahead of a self-imposed deadline Thursday to pass all bills that originated within the chamber. Senators on Tuesday gave first-round approval to more than 40 bills.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739971301681.jpeg" alt=" Sen. Pat Pettey, a Kansas City Democrat, in March 2023 at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Pat Pettey, a Kansas City Democrat, in March 2023 at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Kansas one of 10 states refusing to embrace wider Medicaid eligibility</h2>TOPEKA — Kansas Senate Democrats attempted Tuesday to insert Medicaid expansion into a bill increasing legislative oversight over public assistance programs.The outcome was the same in the Kansas House when a Democrat sought to drop a Medicaid reform package into a state government budget bill.Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican, brought forth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb161/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 161</a>, which would require legislative approval for any changes to public assistance programs in Kansas if they seek to expand eligibility, increase costs to the state, request federal waivers or modify intellectual or developmental disability services.A Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, Sen. Pat Pettey, took the opportunity during floor debate on the bill to introduce an amendment that would adopt the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans, or HAWK, Act.Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and a handful of Democrats in the House and Senate announced in early February&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/06/kansas-governor-takes-another-swing-at-joining-41-states-that-have-expanded-medicaid/">the HAWK Act’s introduction</a>&nbsp;into both chambers. It was the governor’s seventh time trying for Medicaid expansion.The proposal drew support from Democrats and health advocacy groups, but that support was tinged with criticism for a work requirement baked into the act.&nbsp;It did not receive a hearing this session, Pettey pointed out Tuesday.“Medicaid expansion is not political,” she said, referencing survey data that shows most Kansans support expansion or widespread access to affordable health care.&nbsp;Kansas is one of 10 holdout states that have not expanded Medicaid.“It saves lives,” Pettey said. “It saves Kansans money. It stabilizes rural hospitals. It brings taxpayers’ money back to Kansas.”Pettey said the state has passed up on more than $8 billion by refusing to expand KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas.Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, pushed back.“I agree that it is not partisan,” he said, “but there is a whole host of reasons not to do it.”&nbsp;He acknowledged the lack of discussion on Medicaid expansion this session and encouraged it to take place, rather than block consideration of Pettey’s amendment.“It’s not like Kansas isn’t getting its money back,” Masterson said. “Kansas is doing the right thing and putting the right people at the front of the line.”Democrats’ efforts were unsuccessful without the support of a majority of Republicans. Pettey’s amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20250218133629_925711/" target="_blank">failed</a>&nbsp;with 12 in favor — three Republicans and nine Democrats — and 28 Republicans opposed. Republicans who voted in favor were freshman Sen. Mike Argabright of Olpe, Sen. Rick Billinger of Goodland and Sen. Brenda Dietrich of Topeka.<h2>Over in the House</h2>Members of the Kansas House deflected an attempt to insert Medicaid expansion into next year’s state budget bill. The maneuver failed by a wide margin following lengthy debate. It was stopped with a roll call vote of 34-82. Republicans hold an 88-37 majority over Democrats in the House.Rep. Suzanne Wikle, D-Lawrence, proposed a plan that would extend health coverage to about 150,000 lower-income workers across the state without costing the state treasury.Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government must cover 90% of a state’s increased expenditures for Medicaid expansion. Congress adopted a supplemental incentive aimed at Kansas and other holdout states. The additional federal support would mean Kansas could save $78 million on Medicaid in the upcoming fiscal year by approving expansion.“Budgets are a reflection of your priorities,” Wikle said. “Show me a budget and I’ll show you what you care about.”Rep. Troy Waymaster, the Bunker Hill Republican who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, acknowledged the financial reality of Wikle’s proposal but urged lawmakers to reject her amendment.“I recognize there might be some savings, but we need to vote this down,” Waymaster said. “If this were to pass, we’d have Medicaid expansion for one year. That’s it. Unless there is legislation that would pass in subsequent years.”Rep. Nikki McDonald, D-Olathe, said it was frustrating House GOP leaders had again sought to stifle regular debate on fiscally responsible Medicaid expansion proposals in House committees and on the House floor. She urged rank-and-file Republicans to pressure their GOP leaders to bring about meaningful debate on Medicaid expansion rather than suppress an approach for improving access to affordable health care embraced by 40 states.House members who didn’t believe it important to extend preventive health care to thousands of Kansans with modest incomes should take a different approach to Medicaid expansion, said Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park.“If you’re not going to vote for this out of a moral reason, you should at least vote for this out of a cold-hearted business decision to make sure that our workforce is as healthy as possible so we can make sure we are working them as much as possible to help our economy,” Sawyer Clayton said.<h2>Senate’s efficiency bill</h2>In the Senate, the underlying bill on government efficiency was passed despite criticism from Democrats.Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat, called the bill “inefficient” and said it added “layers of bureaucracy for even the simplest program changes.”“That red tape could result in thousands of Kansans being unable to get time-sensitive help,” she said.&nbsp;When the Legislature is not in session, oversight of public assistance program changes would shift to the Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of the governor and House and Senate leadership.&nbsp;More than half a dozen advocacy organizations indicated their opposition to the bill at a hearing before the GOP-led Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, which was created in response to and modeled after the federal initiative under billionaire Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which is not actually a federal department. However, Shawnee Republican Sen. Mike Thompson indicated at the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/17/kansas-senates-efficiency-committee-embraces-trio-of-bills-aimed-at-state-spending/">hearing</a>&nbsp;the bill could be a solution to complaints over the Kelly administration’s pursuit of changes to intellectual and developmental disabilities programs.During the hearing and again on the Senate floor, Holscher said the bill could put at risk Kansas’ existing share of Medicaid funds, more than $3 billion for fiscal year 2025. That could be the case if certain federal deadlines, such as those associated with payment rate adjustments, are not met.&nbsp;Legislators pushed bills through the Senate at a rapid clip Tuesday ahead of a self-imposed deadline Thursday to pass all bills that originated within the chamber. Senators on Tuesday gave first-round approval to more than 40 bills.

Medicaid expansion amendments offered by Democrats fail in Kansas Senate, House

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspected drug dealer on new allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 9 p.m. February 16, a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black 2007 Chrysler Town &amp; Country minivan in the 700 block of NE Wabash Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.-

During the investigation, it was discovered that the driver had a suspended driver’s license and was wanted on a warrant out of the Kickapoo Tribal Reservation. A K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were also located.

Bertrand A. Wheaton, 42, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his warrant and requested charges of Distribution of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant,&nbsp;Distribution or possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Driving while license suspended and No vehicle liability insurance.&nbsp;

He has previous convictions for theft, making false writing, DUI and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739892529046.png" alt="Wheaton photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Wheaton photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspected drug dealer on new allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 9 p.m. February 16, a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black 2007 Chrysler Town &amp; Country minivan in the 700 block of NE Wabash Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.-During the investigation, it was discovered that the driver had a suspended driver’s license and was wanted on a warrant out of the Kickapoo Tribal Reservation. A K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were also located.Bertrand A. Wheaton, 42, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his warrant and requested charges of Distribution of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant,&nbsp;Distribution or possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Driving while license suspended and No vehicle liability insurance.&nbsp;He has previous convictions for theft, making false writing, DUI and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Deputies arrest wanted Kansas felon for selling drugs

David Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies — endangering the welfare of a child and hindering prosecution — in connection to the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Republican leaders of the Missouri House on Tuesday joined the chorus of lawmakers blasting the state public defender’s office for employing a man who was convicted of two felonies in connection to the 2007 rape and murder of his stepdaughter.&nbsp;

In a joint statement issued Tuesday, House Speaker Jon Patterson and other members of the chamber’s GOP leadership&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25538299-jon-patterson-budget-committee-on-public-defenders/" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;that unless the situation is “rectif[ied]…immediately,” they will support efforts to reject Missouri State Public Defender’s entire budget for next year. The organization provides legal representation to indigent Missourians accused of crimes.

The controversy surrounds the employment of a secretary at Missouri State Public Defender system named David Spears.

He&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">worked</a>&nbsp;at the public defender’s office as a clerk typist in Clayton from 2016 to 2019 and returned in 2020 to the West Plains office as an administrative assistant, where he is a current employee.

Last year he made $40,842, according to the state’s public salary database.

Spears is a former client of the Missouri State Public Defender system himself.&nbsp;

Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2012 — the class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child and class D felony of hindering prosecution — in the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter, Rowan Ford.&nbsp;

He was sentenced to 11 years and released in 2015 on parole.

According to news&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2024/12/02/missouri-executing-christopher-collings-rape-murder-rowan-ford/76711350007/" target="_blank">reports</a>&nbsp;at the time, Spears left Ford at home alone that night to go drinking, and then didn’t cooperate in disclosing the reason for his absence to police.&nbsp;

Spears’ friend, Christopher Collings, who had previously been&nbsp;<a href="https://casetext.com/case/state-v-collings-2" target="_blank">living</a>&nbsp;with them, was convicted of the rape and murder of Ford, which took place in the small Southwestern Missouri town of Stella. She was 9 years old. Collings was&nbsp;<a href="https://mcclatchy.us.auth0.com/login?state=hKFo2SA5LWpYcElDMlpfNmNSbVJXT2daMUdWSFZSZmZPcTM0V6FupWxvZ2luo3RpZNkgQ2dZUzQ1OXYyQjRVNFViYXZoRGVYMFF3UGN6UDF2dFWjY2lk2SB6aFBUWERjQ051dVdDTUdtYkVVVXMwVFl0UnBxS2h0Mg&amp;client=zhPTXDcCNuuWCMGmbEUUs0TYtRpqKht2&amp;protocol=oauth2&amp;redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fozlo-inbys%2Flogin.html&amp;response_type=code&amp;scope=openid%20email%20profile%20offline_access%20update%3Aprofile%20complete%3Apurchase&amp;code_challenge=AbYKJhas2nq_lIPU-3Oah7fuJshHG8QEVOC1Nh8XV34&amp;code_challenge_method=S256&amp;response_mode=query&amp;audience=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.consumer.pt.mcclatchy.com" target="_blank">executed for the crime</a>&nbsp;by lethal injection in December.

Initially, prosecutors charged both Spears and Collings with rape and sexual assault of Ford, after both confessed separately. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120928042151/http://articles.ky3.com/2012-09-26/chris-collings_34109352" target="_blank">charges against Spears were dropped&nbsp;</a>because no physical evidence supported his involvement and Collings insisted he acted alone. An expert witness at trial said Spears’ confession was&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">coerced by police.</a>&nbsp;

Spears’ employment has been the target of lawmakers’ outrage for the last several months, after receiving publicity in the wake of Collings’ December execution. One of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/article296500344.html" target="_blank">arguments</a>&nbsp;Collings’ appellate attorneys made while attempting to halt his execution was that Spears’ confession should have cast doubt on Collings’ conviction.

“The continued employment of David Spears within the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office is a serious lapse in judgment that undermines public trust in our institutions,” House leadership wrote in the joint statement Tuesday.

The letter continues: “While we believe in second chances, there are clear and reasonable limits—especially when it comes to those who have pled guilty to hindering the prosecution of a heinous crime like the murder of Rowan Ford.”&nbsp;

The statement follows a contentious hearing last week in the House Budget Committee, in which lawmakers grilled the director of the state public defense system and threatened to jeopardize its entire budget unless Spears is terminated.

Mary Fox, director of Missouri State Public Defender, declined to comment for this story. In the budget hearing last week, she defended Spears’ employment.

“We all agree it was a horrible case, no question about it, and it caused trauma…and that trauma continues long after the crime,” Fox testified.&nbsp;

“But Mr. Spears, the person who is employed by the public defender system, was not convicted of the murder, was not convicted of the sexual assaults,” Fox said “And in fact, according to the prosecutor at the time, his convictions were for leaving his stepdaughter alone to go drinking with friends and asking a friend to lie to law enforcement about why he left the child alone.”

Spears&nbsp;received&nbsp;the maximum sentence allowable, Fox noted, and he served his time and is off parole.&nbsp;

“We as an agency and, I think, Missouri as a state, believe that people with criminal convictions should be able to be employed, even by the state,” she told lawmakers.

Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2016/eo4" target="_blank">since 2016 has held a “ban the box” hiring practice</a>&nbsp;in state government, in which state agencies wait until later in the hiring practice to review information about criminal histories. It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2016/eo4" target="_blank">designed</a>&nbsp;to provide second chances to those with criminal histories and help them assimilate back into society.&nbsp;

State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, who was a police chief in southwestern Missouri at the time of Ford’s murder, has led the charge against the agency and spoke at the budget hearing last week.&nbsp;

“I’ve heard people say, ‘Well yeah but he’s paid his debt to society, and yeah we want to rehabilitate him,’” Roberts said at the hearing, about Spears.

“Director, I just plain don’t care,” Roberts added. “I don’t care about the reputation of the public defenders. I don’t care that he’s doing a good job. He has not, and will never, pay his debt to Rowan Ford.”

House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican of Noel, devoted all of Thursday’s budget hearing to this issue, putting the agency’s funding for next year in limbo.

“I will say, and I do, I believe people deserve second chances,” Deaton said. “…Not everybody deserves to work for state government, and that would be my firm belief and position. Nobody’s owed a taxpayer job, and a salary, and this is just the worst one of the worst lapses in judgment I have ever&nbsp;seen.”

None of the lawmakers in the budget hearing defended Spears’ employment. State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, called his employment “disgusting.”&nbsp;

“I’m shaking, like I’m physically ill, so I’m going to leave after I say this.&nbsp; Let me just say I’m a ‘no’ on this entire [budget] book,” she said, before leaving the room.&nbsp;

Rep. Jeff Vernetti, a Republican of Camdenton, called it the “most ridiculous presentation we’ve heard” before he, too, walked out of the hearing.

The issue of Spears’ employment gained attention late last year.

In December, Roberts, along with 15 current and former state representatives sent a&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/12cIE8N8vqvlzY5R9nLIaZBljrZx3Jv7C/view" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to the Missouri State Public Defender Commission calling for Spears’ termination.&nbsp;

“The rationale by which the public defender’s office determined that hiring David Spears was a good idea absolutely defies reason,” Roberts wrote.

The letter states “at the very least he helped Collings dispose of the body” — which Fox disputed in the budget hearing.

The commission, the governing body of the Missouri State Public Defender, is composed of six members, all of whom were appointed by former Gov. Mike Parson.

In a Jan. 16 response letter, the commission said they don’t have the authority to terminate a clerical employee, but that they had developed a new policy in response to the concerns.

The commission developed a new policy surrounding background checks, so that the director and chair of the commission must be consulted when any background check returns a bad report. Additionally, Fox said at the hearing, agency policy was changed to add conflict of interest evaluations in hiring.

The conflict of interest issue in this case is that the public defender’s office was representing Collings at the time Spears was hired, in appellate litigation.&nbsp;

Fox in the House budget hearing said under the new policies, Spears wouldn’t have been eligible for employment when the office was representing Collings.

“If I had been the director at that time and aware of that, that would have been a problem,” Fox said, adding she didn’t become aware until last year.

Deaton and Roberts at the hearing last week said those policy changes are insufficient.

“We called upon you to take this action, and what I got was an explanation of why you can’t do what needs to be done,” Roberts said.

Lawmakers at the hearing continued to forward the argument that Spears helped murder, or cover up the murder of, Ford, which the prosecution at the time dismissed.

“There was no evidence that Mr. Spears took any action to help Collings avoid apprehension and prosecution,” the letter from the public defense commission last month stated.&nbsp;

Roberts and Fox disagreed at the hearing over the facts of the case, particularly whether Spears had led law enforcement to the girl’s body.

In 2012, the prosecutor in the case published a&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120928042151/http://articles.ky3.com/2012-09-26/chris-collings_34109352" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;regarding the decision to drop murder and sexual assault charges against Spears:&nbsp;

“I am completely aware that the general public is convinced that David Spears was involved. I am also completely aware that the general public wants to see him receive punishment for his alleged involvement,” Barry County prosecuting attorney Johnnie Cox wrote at the time.

“This type of crime should outrage everyone,” Cox wrote. “I was outraged when I first heard about it. However, as a prosecutor I am a minister of justice and must do what the law requires, what the facts require and what fairness and justice require.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241203020203/https://www.joplinglobe.com/news/collings-denied-stay-of-execution/article_28753be4-b0eb-11ef-828f-7bdfc278c3d1.html" target="_blank">December article in the Joplin Globe,</a>&nbsp;Cox, now a circuit judge, recently stated again that Spears was “absolutely not” responsible for the murder or rape.&nbsp;

Roberts said he would ask Deaton to deny any new budget requests for the agency until Spears is terminated.

“It is a token response,” Roberts said. “…I want to know how you’re going to terminate him, not why you can’t.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739963870029.png" alt=" State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, has led the charge against the agency for its employment of David Spears (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). " />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, has led the charge against the agency for its employment of David Spears (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>David Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies — endangering the welfare of a child and hindering prosecution — in connection to the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Republican leaders of the Missouri House on Tuesday joined the chorus of lawmakers blasting the state public defender’s office for employing a man who was convicted of two felonies in connection to the 2007 rape and murder of his stepdaughter.&nbsp;In a joint statement issued Tuesday, House Speaker Jon Patterson and other members of the chamber’s GOP leadership&nbsp;<a href="https://legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/25538299-jon-patterson-budget-committee-on-public-defenders/" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;that unless the situation is “rectif[ied]…immediately,” they will support efforts to reject Missouri State Public Defender’s entire budget for next year. The organization provides legal representation to indigent Missourians accused of crimes.The controversy surrounds the employment of a secretary at Missouri State Public Defender system named David Spears.He&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">worked</a>&nbsp;at the public defender’s office as a clerk typist in Clayton from 2016 to 2019 and returned in 2020 to the West Plains office as an administrative assistant, where he is a current employee.Last year he made $40,842, according to the state’s public salary database.Spears is a former client of the Missouri State Public Defender system himself.&nbsp;Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2012 — the class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child and class D felony of hindering prosecution — in the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter, Rowan Ford.&nbsp;He was sentenced to 11 years and released in 2015 on parole.According to news&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2024/12/02/missouri-executing-christopher-collings-rape-murder-rowan-ford/76711350007/" target="_blank">reports</a>&nbsp;at the time, Spears left Ford at home alone that night to go drinking, and then didn’t cooperate in disclosing the reason for his absence to police.&nbsp;Spears’ friend, Christopher Collings, who had previously been&nbsp;<a href="https://casetext.com/case/state-v-collings-2" target="_blank">living</a>&nbsp;with them, was convicted of the rape and murder of Ford, which took place in the small Southwestern Missouri town of Stella. She was 9 years old. Collings was&nbsp;<a href="https://mcclatchy.us.auth0.com/login?state=hKFo2SA5LWpYcElDMlpfNmNSbVJXT2daMUdWSFZSZmZPcTM0V6FupWxvZ2luo3RpZNkgQ2dZUzQ1OXYyQjRVNFViYXZoRGVYMFF3UGN6UDF2dFWjY2lk2SB6aFBUWERjQ051dVdDTUdtYkVVVXMwVFl0UnBxS2h0Mg&amp;client=zhPTXDcCNuuWCMGmbEUUs0TYtRpqKht2&amp;protocol=oauth2&amp;redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fozlo-inbys%2Flogin.html&amp;response_type=code&amp;scope=openid%20email%20profile%20offline_access%20update%3Aprofile%20complete%3Apurchase&amp;code_challenge=AbYKJhas2nq_lIPU-3Oah7fuJshHG8QEVOC1Nh8XV34&amp;code_challenge_method=S256&amp;response_mode=query&amp;audience=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.consumer.pt.mcclatchy.com" target="_blank">executed for the crime</a>&nbsp;by lethal injection in December.Initially, prosecutors charged both Spears and Collings with rape and sexual assault of Ford, after both confessed separately. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120928042151/http://articles.ky3.com/2012-09-26/chris-collings_34109352" target="_blank">charges against Spears were dropped&nbsp;</a>because no physical evidence supported his involvement and Collings insisted he acted alone. An expert witness at trial said Spears’ confession was&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">coerced by police.</a>&nbsp;Spears’ employment has been the target of lawmakers’ outrage for the last several months, after receiving publicity in the wake of Collings’ December execution. One of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/article296500344.html" target="_blank">arguments</a>&nbsp;Collings’ appellate attorneys made while attempting to halt his execution was that Spears’ confession should have cast doubt on Collings’ conviction.“The continued employment of David Spears within the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office is a serious lapse in judgment that undermines public trust in our institutions,” House leadership wrote in the joint statement Tuesday.The letter continues: “While we believe in second chances, there are clear and reasonable limits—especially when it comes to those who have pled guilty to hindering the prosecution of a heinous crime like the murder of Rowan Ford.”&nbsp;The statement follows a contentious hearing last week in the House Budget Committee, in which lawmakers grilled the director of the state public defense system and threatened to jeopardize its entire budget unless Spears is terminated.Mary Fox, director of Missouri State Public Defender, declined to comment for this story. In the budget hearing last week, she defended Spears’ employment.“We all agree it was a horrible case, no question about it, and it caused trauma…and that trauma continues long after the crime,” Fox testified.&nbsp;“But Mr. Spears, the person who is employed by the public defender system, was not convicted of the murder, was not convicted of the sexual assaults,” Fox said “And in fact, according to the prosecutor at the time, his convictions were for leaving his stepdaughter alone to go drinking with friends and asking a friend to lie to law enforcement about why he left the child alone.”Spears&nbsp;received&nbsp;the maximum sentence allowable, Fox noted, and he served his time and is off parole.&nbsp;“We as an agency and, I think, Missouri as a state, believe that people with criminal convictions should be able to be employed, even by the state,” she told lawmakers.Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2016/eo4" target="_blank">since 2016 has held a “ban the box” hiring practice</a>&nbsp;in state government, in which state agencies wait until later in the hiring practice to review information about criminal histories. It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2016/eo4" target="_blank">designed</a>&nbsp;to provide second chances to those with criminal histories and help them assimilate back into society.&nbsp;State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, who was a police chief in southwestern Missouri at the time of Ford’s murder, has led the charge against the agency and spoke at the budget hearing last week.&nbsp;“I’ve heard people say, ‘Well yeah but he’s paid his debt to society, and yeah we want to rehabilitate him,’” Roberts said at the hearing, about Spears.“Director, I just plain don’t care,” Roberts added. “I don’t care about the reputation of the public defenders. I don’t care that he’s doing a good job. He has not, and will never, pay his debt to Rowan Ford.”House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican of Noel, devoted all of Thursday’s budget hearing to this issue, putting the agency’s funding for next year in limbo.“I will say, and I do, I believe people deserve second chances,” Deaton said. “…Not everybody deserves to work for state government, and that would be my firm belief and position. Nobody’s owed a taxpayer job, and a salary, and this is just the worst one of the worst lapses in judgment I have ever&nbsp;seen.”None of the lawmakers in the budget hearing defended Spears’ employment. State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, called his employment “disgusting.”&nbsp;“I’m shaking, like I’m physically ill, so I’m going to leave after I say this.&nbsp; Let me just say I’m a ‘no’ on this entire [budget] book,” she said, before leaving the room.&nbsp;Rep. Jeff Vernetti, a Republican of Camdenton, called it the “most ridiculous presentation we’ve heard” before he, too, walked out of the hearing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739963815564.png" alt="Mary Fox, director of the state public defense system, testifies at a committee hearing Monday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>Mary Fox, director of the state public defense system, testifies at a committee hearing Monday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>The issue of Spears’ employment gained attention late last year.In December, Roberts, along with 15 current and former state representatives sent a&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/12cIE8N8vqvlzY5R9nLIaZBljrZx3Jv7C/view" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to the Missouri State Public Defender Commission calling for Spears’ termination.&nbsp;“The rationale by which the public defender’s office determined that hiring David Spears was a good idea absolutely defies reason,” Roberts wrote.The letter states “at the very least he helped Collings dispose of the body” — which Fox disputed in the budget hearing.The commission, the governing body of the Missouri State Public Defender, is composed of six members, all of whom were appointed by former Gov. Mike Parson.In a Jan. 16 response letter, the commission said they don’t have the authority to terminate a clerical employee, but that they had developed a new policy in response to the concerns.The commission developed a new policy surrounding background checks, so that the director and chair of the commission must be consulted when any background check returns a bad report. Additionally, Fox said at the hearing, agency policy was changed to add conflict of interest evaluations in hiring.The conflict of interest issue in this case is that the public defender’s office was representing Collings at the time Spears was hired, in appellate litigation.&nbsp;Fox in the House budget hearing said under the new policies, Spears wouldn’t have been eligible for employment when the office was representing Collings.“If I had been the director at that time and aware of that, that would have been a problem,” Fox said, adding she didn’t become aware until last year.Deaton and Roberts at the hearing last week said those policy changes are insufficient.“We called upon you to take this action, and what I got was an explanation of why you can’t do what needs to be done,” Roberts said.Lawmakers at the hearing continued to forward the argument that Spears helped murder, or cover up the murder of, Ford, which the prosecution at the time dismissed.“There was no evidence that Mr. Spears took any action to help Collings avoid apprehension and prosecution,” the letter from the public defense commission last month stated.&nbsp;Roberts and Fox disagreed at the hearing over the facts of the case, particularly whether Spears had led law enforcement to the girl’s body.In 2012, the prosecutor in the case published a&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120928042151/http://articles.ky3.com/2012-09-26/chris-collings_34109352" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;regarding the decision to drop murder and sexual assault charges against Spears:&nbsp;“I am completely aware that the general public is convinced that David Spears was involved. I am also completely aware that the general public wants to see him receive punishment for his alleged involvement,” Barry County prosecuting attorney Johnnie Cox wrote at the time.“This type of crime should outrage everyone,” Cox wrote. “I was outraged when I first heard about it. However, as a prosecutor I am a minister of justice and must do what the law requires, what the facts require and what fairness and justice require.”&nbsp;&nbsp;According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241203020203/https://www.joplinglobe.com/news/collings-denied-stay-of-execution/article_28753be4-b0eb-11ef-828f-7bdfc278c3d1.html" target="_blank">December article in the Joplin Globe,</a>&nbsp;Cox, now a circuit judge, recently stated again that Spears was “absolutely not” responsible for the murder or rape.&nbsp;Roberts said he would ask Deaton to deny any new budget requests for the agency until Spears is terminated.“It is a token response,” Roberts said. “…I want to know how you’re going to terminate him, not why you can’t.”

Public defender’s office draws outrage from Missouri GOP leaders over hiring convicted felon

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.

Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 600 block of Brighton Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 just&nbsp;before 9:00 a.m. Crews reported heavy fire and smoke from a two-story occupied residence on arrival. Interior operations were initiated using multiple handlines. Searches of the structure came back all clear. Occupants were able to self-evacuate. The fire was placed under control at 9:10 a.m. Red Cross was ordered for five adults and four children. No injuries were reported.

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.Just after 9a.m. Tuesday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 600 block of Brighton Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. just&nbsp;before 9:00 a.m. Crews reported heavy fire and smoke from a two-story occupied residence on arrival. Interior operations were initiated using multiple handlines. Searches of the structure came back all clear. Occupants were able to self-evacuate. The fire was placed under control at 9:10 a.m. Red Cross was ordered for five adults and four children. No injuries were reported.

5 adults, 4 children displaced after Kansas City house fire

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas Highway Patrol shared two examples of how seat belts save lives.

Just after midnight Tuesday morning, Master Trooper Zeller,&nbsp;Kansas Turnpike Authority, arrived at the scene of a crash on Interstate 70 just before 38th Street in the Kansas City area, according to a social media report from the patrol.

The the driver of a pickup lost control of the vehicle. It struck a guardrail, and rolled multiple times landing on its roof in a ditch. The driver&nbsp; walked away to look for help. He had his seatbelt on and it saved his life.

The Patrol also reported a driver on Tuesday was traveling southbound on Interstate 435 near Midland Drive. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It rolled and the driver was kept safe inside the vehicle due to wearing their seatbelt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739902427601.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Kansas Highway Patrol shared two examples of how seat belts save lives.Just after midnight Tuesday morning, Master Trooper Zeller,&nbsp;Kansas Turnpike Authority, arrived at the scene of a crash on Interstate 70 just before 38th Street in the Kansas City area, according to a social media report from the patrol.The the driver of a pickup lost control of the vehicle. It struck a guardrail, and rolled multiple times landing on its roof in a ditch. The driver&nbsp; walked away to look for help. He had his seatbelt on and it saved his life.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739904867718.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>The Patrol also reported a driver on Tuesday was traveling southbound on Interstate 435 near Midland Drive. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It rolled and the driver was kept safe inside the vehicle due to wearing their seatbelt.

KHP reminder: Seat belts save lives

OSAGE COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations. 

Just before 9a.m. Feb. 15, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop on I-35 in Osage County for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

 During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. Brenda L. Prell, 63, of Hanover was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of&nbsp; Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739746729896.png" alt="Prell photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Prell photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations. Just before 9a.m. Feb. 15, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop on I-35 in Osage County for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. Brenda L. Prell, 63, of Hanover was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of&nbsp; Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia

Kansas woman caught transporting meth, marijuana

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marymccuebell/">MARY MCCUE BELL</a>

A bill prohibiting Missouri agencies from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives was given initial House approval Monday evening.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Ben Baker, a Republican from Neosho, argued that DEI goals do not lead to decreased bias and questioned their success.

The state House can pass the bill with one more vote, sending it to the Senate.

If enacted, funds spent by state departments could not be used for DEI initiatives. These initiatives include collective guilt ideologies, intersectional or divisive identity activism and promotion of preferential treatment; this is the idea that group disparities are solely due to oppression.

Democrats argued that the wording on the bill could be interpreted so that any single one of those descriptions could be used to defund any program.

The bill creates an exception that the agencies would not be prohibited from following federal laws or complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill also makes it illegal for state agencies to require or incentivize DEI programs as a requirement for earning a state contract.

The bill was given approval on a voice vote after a party line 100-49 vote ended more than two hours of impassioned speeches by Democrats. Speakers raised concerns about who is at an advantage or disadvantage from such legislation.

Additional talking points included systemic racism, the gender pay gap, pink taxes, disabilities and merit-based hiring. The price of eggs was brought up multiple times to argue that this legislation doesn’t improve the welfare of Missourians.

Unintended consequences were discussed, such as retaliation against accreditation of university medical programs and law enforcement agencies. These are often required to have such programs be accredited.

A 2024 Missourian review of state agency budget requests, which includes every line item of spending a department seeks, found the phrase “diversity, equity, and inclusion” practically nonexistent among state agencies.

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/house-moves-forward-on-banning-state-dei-programs/article_33526f12-ed88-11ef-b619-b753e3d71c50.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marymccuebell/">MARY MCCUE BELL</a>A bill prohibiting Missouri agencies from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives was given initial House approval Monday evening.The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Ben Baker, a Republican from Neosho, argued that DEI goals do not lead to decreased bias and questioned their success.The state House can pass the bill with one more vote, sending it to the Senate.If enacted, funds spent by state departments could not be used for DEI initiatives. These initiatives include collective guilt ideologies, intersectional or divisive identity activism and promotion of preferential treatment; this is the idea that group disparities are solely due to oppression.Democrats argued that the wording on the bill could be interpreted so that any single one of those descriptions could be used to defund any program.The bill creates an exception that the agencies would not be prohibited from following federal laws or complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill also makes it illegal for state agencies to require or incentivize DEI programs as a requirement for earning a state contract.The bill was given approval on a voice vote after a party line 100-49 vote ended more than two hours of impassioned speeches by Democrats. Speakers raised concerns about who is at an advantage or disadvantage from such legislation.Additional talking points included systemic racism, the gender pay gap, pink taxes, disabilities and merit-based hiring. The price of eggs was brought up multiple times to argue that this legislation doesn’t improve the welfare of Missourians.Unintended consequences were discussed, such as retaliation against accreditation of university medical programs and law enforcement agencies. These are often required to have such programs be accredited.A 2024 Missourian review of state agency budget requests, which includes every line item of spending a department seeks, found the phrase “diversity, equity, and inclusion” practically nonexistent among state agencies.This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/house-moves-forward-on-banning-state-dei-programs/article_33526f12-ed88-11ef-b619-b753e3d71c50.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.

Missouri House moves forward on banning state DEI programs

&nbsp;FINNEY COUNTY —Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and First District Congressman Tracey Mann welcome new U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to Kansas on Monday.

Last Thursday, the Senate voted 72-28 to confirm Rollins, a&nbsp; a close ally of President&nbsp;Donald Trump, into the key Cabinet position&nbsp;

On her social media page Rollins wrote, "So good to be in Southwest Kansas to tour Finney County Feedyard, High Plains Ponderosa Dairy, National Beef in Liberal, and have a roundtable with the farmers and ranchers from across the state. LOVED BEING IN KANSAS!"

On social media, Marshall wrote, "with Secretary Rollins leading the USDA and President Trump in the White House, I look forward to working together to Make Agriculture Great Again."

&nbsp;FINNEY COUNTY —Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and First District Congressman Tracey Mann welcome new U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to Kansas on Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739884497351.png" alt="Photos Senator Roger Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Photos Senator Roger Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>Last Thursday, the Senate voted 72-28 to confirm Rollins, a&nbsp; a close ally of President&nbsp;Donald Trump, into the key Cabinet position&nbsp;On her social media page Rollins wrote, "So good to be in Southwest Kansas to tour Finney County Feedyard, High Plains Ponderosa Dairy, National Beef in Liberal, and have a roundtable with the farmers and ranchers from across the state. LOVED BEING IN KANSAS!"On social media, Marshall wrote, "with Secretary Rollins leading the USDA and President Trump in the White House, I look forward to working together to Make Agriculture Great Again."

New Agriculture Secretary makes first stop in Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating three suspects including a wanted Kansas felon on new allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 10:30 p.m. February 14, a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black 1999 Acura TL passenger car near SW 11th Street and SW Prairie Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, the K-9 partner assisted and illegal narcotics were located.

Patricia L. Miller, 43, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for multiple arrest warrants and the following additional requested charges that include possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Possession of drug paraphernalia. She has two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Brian L. Kilburn, 47, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections (SNDOC) on requested&nbsp; charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Driving while suspended.

Phillip J. Minton, 42, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges, Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Possession of drug paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739891901505.png" alt="Kilburn photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kilburn photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating three suspects including a wanted Kansas felon on new allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 10:30 p.m. February 14, a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black 1999 Acura TL passenger car near SW 11th Street and SW Prairie Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739891594860.png" alt="Miller photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Miller photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the investigation, the K-9 partner assisted and illegal narcotics were located.Patricia L. Miller, 43, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for multiple arrest warrants and the following additional requested charges that include possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Possession of drug paraphernalia. She has two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Brian L. Kilburn, 47, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections (SNDOC) on requested&nbsp; charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Driving while suspended.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739893671924.png" alt="Minton photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Minton photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Phillip J. Minton, 42, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges, Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Possession of drug paraphernalia

Wanted Kansas felon captured after Valentine's Day traffic stop

Lawmakers and anti-abortion activists gathered at Planned Parenthood clinics around the state just days after abortion services returned to Missouri

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

Fifty years of anti-abortion laws in Missouri have been struck down as unconstitutional over the last two months, culminating Friday with a Jackson County judge&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/14/missouri-judge-blocks-discriminatory-abortion-clinics-rules-blamed-for-lack-of-access/">blocking clinic licensing requirements.</a>

Three days later, Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion activists gathered outside Planned Parenthood locations across the state to say they have no intention of retreating.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739878800802.png" alt="Chelsea Voboril, Bishop James Johnson Jr. and Deborah Sheppard stand outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Kansas City on Monday to protest a ruling that allowed abortions to begin again in Missouri. Two days prior, the first surgical abortion in the state since Roe v. Wade was overturned was performed inside the clinic (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Chelsea Voboril, Bishop James Johnson Jr. and Deborah Sheppard stand outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Kansas City on Monday to protest a ruling that allowed abortions to begin again in Missouri. Two days prior, the first surgical abortion in the state since Roe v. Wade was overturned was performed inside the clinic (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Lawmakers and anti-abortion activists gathered at Planned Parenthood clinics around the state just days after abortion services returned to Missouri</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Fifty years of anti-abortion laws in Missouri have been struck down as unconstitutional over the last two months, culminating Friday with a Jackson County judge&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/14/missouri-judge-blocks-discriminatory-abortion-clinics-rules-blamed-for-lack-of-access/">blocking clinic licensing requirements.</a>Three days later, Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion activists gathered outside Planned Parenthood locations across the state to say they have no intention of retreating.&nbsp;“I’m here to tell you the Missouri supermajority of Republicans will not stand for this,” said state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican and one of the architects of the legislation that made Missouri the first state to outlaw abortion in June 2022 after Roe v. Wade was overturned.&nbsp;“There will be another option to vote,” she predicted Monday, “so that people understand this is not going to continue in the state of Missouri.”Coleman said&nbsp;Attorney General Andrew Bailey is expected to appeal Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang’s decision, though none was filed as of Monday afternoon. A spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office did not respond to a request for comment.In the meantime, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Kansas City on Saturday performed the first elective abortion since voters overturned Missouri’s abortion ban by passing Amendment 3 in November.&nbsp;Missouri Republicans have filed three dozen bills seeking to either repeal or rein in Amendment 3. So far, the House has prioritized a proposed constitutional amendment that would&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/05/missouri-abortion-ban-constitutional-amendment-stinnett-rape-incest-exception/">reinstate an abortion ban but create exceptions for survivors of rape and incest,&nbsp;</a>as long as they report the crime to police.Senate Democrats have threatened to filibuster any effort to overturn the voter-approved amendment legalizing abortion.&nbsp;In addition to GOP lawmakers seeking to put abortion back on the statewide ballot, Coleman said a group of attorneys is separately working on a citizen-led initiative petition “in case the legislature doesn’t get that through.”&nbsp;Zhang’s Friday ruling blocked the state’s licensing requirement for abortion clinics that providers said had prevented them from restoring access to the procedure following Amendment 3’s passage.&nbsp;Zhang called the licensing requirement “discriminatory” because “it does not treat services provided in abortion facilities the same as other types of similarly situated health care, including miscarriage care.”During a hearing last month, Zhang asked Planned Parenthood’s attorneys how clinics would be regulated if the licensing requirements in place through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.Eleanor Spottswood, an attorney with Planned Parenthood, said that like other outpatient practices, the facility would not require a license, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/01/missouri-planned-parenthood-abortion-access-jackson-county/">providers would need to meet their own professional licensing requirements</a>&nbsp;through the Missouri Board of Healing Arts.Republicans and anti-abortion advocates argued Monday that the license requirements — along with a spate of other regulations Zhang previously blocked in response to Amendment 3 — ensured the safety of women and babies.&nbsp;“We are going to spend every second and every dollar and every resource to make sure that Missourians understand what is happening,” Coleman said. “There are no health and safety regulations.”On Monday afternoon, three people held signs vigil outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Kansas City where two days earlier a patient underwent a surgical abortion — the first performed in Missouri since 2022.“It’s a sad day today because abortion has resumed in Missouri,” said the&nbsp;Rev. James V. Johnston Jr., bishop of&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://kcsjcatholic.org/" target="_blank">Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph</a>, as he stood outside in sub-freezing temperatures, wearing a March for Life stocking cap. “My hope is that our lawmakers will see this as a matter of justice.”&nbsp;Several yards down the sidewalk, two clinic escorts bundled in thick layers beneath their bright vests stood at the entrance to the parking lot. They held colorful umbrellas, offered to patients as a way to cover their faces and their identities from any passers-by.A similar scene played out 245 miles to the east at the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis’ Central West End.“This is the real agenda of Planned Parenthood, to put the destruction of human life over the safety and well being of women,” Brian Westbrook, executive director of Coalition Life, told reporters as about half a dozen anti-abortion protesters stood behind him. “They are not fighting for women. They are fighting to remove every possible check on their harmful, deadly Business.”&nbsp;Westbrook said Monday kicked off a 6-day “intense prayer and fasting vigil” outside the St. Louis clinic. Coalition Life also restarted its sidewalk counseling efforts, partnering with Women’s Care Connect, a pregnancy resource center in Maryland Heights that he said also provides “abortion pill reversal.”Neither surgical nor medication abortions have begun again at the St. Louis location, Nick Dunne, with Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, said Monday.“This,” Coleman said, “Is not a fight that ends ever.”&nbsp;