&nbsp;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>

The formula that funds public schools in the state relies on outdated assumptions of local aid, education officials say

A group tasked by the governor with reworking Missouri’s formula for funding public schools narrowed in on property tax revenue Monday, discussing how the 20-year-old formula creates inequities with an outdated assumption of local aid.

In the second meeting of the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force, education officials led a conversation on property taxes.

The problem stems from a figure frozen in time, said Kari Monsees, deputy commissioner of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The formula subtracts assumed local aid based on 2005 property values and applies the same tax rate statewide even though districts vary widely on levies.

“The longer we go on, the further we get from the actual values on our assumptions and the more problematic it is for what we’re trying to do here,” Monsees said.

Since the creation of the current formula in 2005, property values have fluctuated with variation across districts.

“There’s been a lot of changes in property values since 2005,” said David Wood, a former state representative and policy analyst for the Missouri State Tax Commission. “If you try to jump to current numbers… it’s going to be extremely expensive.”

But increasing the cost to the state’s general revenue is not an option.

Gov. Mike Kehoe’s executive order, which convened the work group,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2025/eo14" target="_blank">calls for funding outcomes</a>&nbsp;“at a level consistent with what is provided for in the State Fiscal Year 2025 budget.” This amount is $300 million under the current budget passed by state lawmakers and awaiting the governor’s signature.

Missouri is seventh in the nation for reliance on property tax revenue for funding public schools, with 47% of funds coming from local taxes,&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cma/public-school-revenue" target="_blank">according to the National Center for Education Statistics</a>. Missouri has the lowest portion of state aid in its public-school funding, at 30% of school revenues.

The state’s reliance on local funding combined with its outdated figures for property taxes has created a system of winners and losers, with communities with growing property values and higher levies accumulating more funds on a per-pupil basis than their counterparts.

If the assessments 20 years ago were accurate and change was uniform across districts, there&nbsp; would be “less of a concern,” Monsees said.

“But that’s not the reality,”&nbsp; he said. “The reality is those reassessment rates and value changes have been significantly different across the state.”

The median home value in districts varies wildly, ranging from $44,500 to $613,300, according to a 2019 review Monsees presented.

The formula assumes a local levy of $3.43 per $100 of assessed value, dubbed the “performance levy.” But districts’ levies vary from $2.75 to almost $6.50 per $100.

He shared examples of districts in the 90th and 10th percentiles, showing some districts have double the operating funds on a per-pupil basis.

Worsening the gaps between districts is a “hold-harmless provision” in the foundation formula, which keeps funding levels stable for districts that would’ve seen a dip in revenue when the formula was established. There are 200 hold-harmless districts, with districts under 350 students keeping total state aid flat and those over 350 getting the same amount per student.

Missouri has had hold-harmless provisions through multiple iterations of the school funding formula, and Monsees said there’s a reason for that. The formula has to be approved by the state legislature, and lawmakers whose districts are losing funds are likely to vote against any changes.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/mo-funding-formula-alignedbellwether" target="_blank">study of the formula commissioned by education nonprofit Aligned</a>&nbsp;estimates that hold-harmless provisions cost the state $150 million annually. The study recommends that any new formula institute a “temporary hold-harmless provision with a five-year phase out.”

The study is one of three being reviewed by task force members. All three recommended changes in multiple areas to the formula, such as increasing multipliers used to increase funding for special education and measuring student count by enrollment rather than attendance.

The work group is anticipated to meet over the next year and deliver plans to the governor by December 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750760626858.png" alt=" State Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, chairs the first meeting of the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force earlier this month (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, chairs the first meeting of the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force earlier this month (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;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>The formula that funds public schools in the state relies on outdated assumptions of local aid, education officials say</h2>A group tasked by the governor with reworking Missouri’s formula for funding public schools narrowed in on property tax revenue Monday, discussing how the 20-year-old formula creates inequities with an outdated assumption of local aid.In the second meeting of the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force, education officials led a conversation on property taxes.The problem stems from a figure frozen in time, said Kari Monsees, deputy commissioner of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The formula subtracts assumed local aid based on 2005 property values and applies the same tax rate statewide even though districts vary widely on levies.“The longer we go on, the further we get from the actual values on our assumptions and the more problematic it is for what we’re trying to do here,” Monsees said.Since the creation of the current formula in 2005, property values have fluctuated with variation across districts.“There’s been a lot of changes in property values since 2005,” said David Wood, a former state representative and policy analyst for the Missouri State Tax Commission. “If you try to jump to current numbers… it’s going to be extremely expensive.”But increasing the cost to the state’s general revenue is not an option.Gov. Mike Kehoe’s executive order, which convened the work group,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2025/eo14" target="_blank">calls for funding outcomes</a>&nbsp;“at a level consistent with what is provided for in the State Fiscal Year 2025 budget.” This amount is $300 million under the current budget passed by state lawmakers and awaiting the governor’s signature.Missouri is seventh in the nation for reliance on property tax revenue for funding public schools, with 47% of funds coming from local taxes,&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cma/public-school-revenue" target="_blank">according to the National Center for Education Statistics</a>. Missouri has the lowest portion of state aid in its public-school funding, at 30% of school revenues.The state’s reliance on local funding combined with its outdated figures for property taxes has created a system of winners and losers, with communities with growing property values and higher levies accumulating more funds on a per-pupil basis than their counterparts.If the assessments 20 years ago were accurate and change was uniform across districts, there&nbsp; would be “less of a concern,” Monsees said.“But that’s not the reality,”&nbsp; he said. “The reality is those reassessment rates and value changes have been significantly different across the state.”The median home value in districts varies wildly, ranging from $44,500 to $613,300, according to a 2019 review Monsees presented.The formula assumes a local levy of $3.43 per $100 of assessed value, dubbed the “performance levy.” But districts’ levies vary from $2.75 to almost $6.50 per $100.He shared examples of districts in the 90th and 10th percentiles, showing some districts have double the operating funds on a per-pupil basis.Worsening the gaps between districts is a “hold-harmless provision” in the foundation formula, which keeps funding levels stable for districts that would’ve seen a dip in revenue when the formula was established. There are 200 hold-harmless districts, with districts under 350 students keeping total state aid flat and those over 350 getting the same amount per student.Missouri has had hold-harmless provisions through multiple iterations of the school funding formula, and Monsees said there’s a reason for that. The formula has to be approved by the state legislature, and lawmakers whose districts are losing funds are likely to vote against any changes.A&nbsp;<a href="https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/mo-funding-formula-alignedbellwether" target="_blank">study of the formula commissioned by education nonprofit Aligned</a>&nbsp;estimates that hold-harmless provisions cost the state $150 million annually. The study recommends that any new formula institute a “temporary hold-harmless provision with a five-year phase out.”The study is one of three being reviewed by task force members. All three recommended changes in multiple areas to the formula, such as increasing multipliers used to increase funding for special education and measuring student count by enrollment rather than attendance.The work group is anticipated to meet over the next year and deliver plans to the governor by December 2026.

Missouri school funding task force turns its attention to property tax inequities

Emotions nearly
overwhelmed Courtney Rowe before hearing that she had won the title of Miss
Missouri.

The KQ2 anchor,
competing as Miss Kansas City, will now compete in the Miss America pageant.

Rowe says emotions
run through the entire week of competition at the Missouri Military Academy in
Mexico.

“Honestly, the
heart palpitations really are there throughout the entire week, but especially when
they announced that top five,” Rowe says during a visit to KFEQmmunity. “You
never really know how the turn out is going to be until you get to that top
five. Like, wow, okay, I’m a contender in this.”

“I just remember
hearing them announce the runner-up’s name, which meant that I was Miss Missouri,”
Rowe says. “I think I blacked out when I was on stage.”

Rowe says the
heart palpitations are real.

“Throughout every
day of that week I just tried to remind myself you could be Miss Missouri; you
could walk away from this as Miss Missouri,” Rowe says. “I spent nine months
before the competition as Miss Kansas City and every appearance I did, every volunteer
hour I put in, I really tried to emulate what I would think Miss Missouri would
do. I really tried to change my mindset and go into the week as Miss Missouri.”

The win was an
accumulation of five years of competing, which first began as Miss Mozingo
Lake, a nod to Rowe’s days as a Northwest Missouri State University student in
Maryville. Rowe competed this year as Miss Kansas City, representing her
hometown. Rowe has learned a lot over the five years of competition, a lot
about what it takes to compete and a lot about herself.

“It takes a lot of
mental strength,” Rowe says. “You have to know your limits and you also have to
be willing to push yourself to do things and try things that might make you a
little uncomfortable.”

The biggest thing Rowe learned about herself during the week of competition was that she actually
was capable of being crowned Miss Missouri. And Rowe says she felt the support
from her community throughout the entire week in Mexico.

“That was one of
the biggest surprises to myself, feeling the love from my community of course
here in St. Joseph and the girls that I competed with has really made it all
worth it.”

Now, Rowe competes
in the Miss America pageant which will be held in September.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750691929415.jpeg" alt="Miss Missouri Courtney Rowe/Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Miss Missouri Courtney Rowe/Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINEmotions nearly
overwhelmed Courtney Rowe before hearing that she had won the title of Miss
Missouri.The KQ2 anchor,
competing as Miss Kansas City, will now compete in the Miss America pageant.Rowe says emotions
run through the entire week of competition at the Missouri Military Academy in
Mexico.“Honestly, the
heart palpitations really are there throughout the entire week, but especially when
they announced that top five,” Rowe says during a visit to KFEQmmunity. “You
never really know how the turn out is going to be until you get to that top
five. Like, wow, okay, I’m a contender in this.”Not just a
contender, but the winner.“I just remember
hearing them announce the runner-up’s name, which meant that I was Miss Missouri,”
Rowe says. “I think I blacked out when I was on stage.”Rowe says the
heart palpitations are real.“Throughout every
day of that week I just tried to remind myself you could be Miss Missouri; you
could walk away from this as Miss Missouri,” Rowe says. “I spent nine months
before the competition as Miss Kansas City and every appearance I did, every volunteer
hour I put in, I really tried to emulate what I would think Miss Missouri would
do. I really tried to change my mindset and go into the week as Miss Missouri.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750691979164.jpeg" alt="Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>The win was an
accumulation of five years of competing, which first began as Miss Mozingo
Lake, a nod to Rowe’s days as a Northwest Missouri State University student in
Maryville. Rowe competed this year as Miss Kansas City, representing her
hometown. Rowe has learned a lot over the five years of competition, a lot
about what it takes to compete and a lot about herself.“It takes a lot of
mental strength,” Rowe says. “You have to know your limits and you also have to
be willing to push yourself to do things and try things that might make you a
little uncomfortable.”The biggest thing Rowe learned about herself during the week of competition was that she actually
was capable of being crowned Miss Missouri. And Rowe says she felt the support
from her community throughout the entire week in Mexico.“That was one of
the biggest surprises to myself, feeling the love from my community of course
here in St. Joseph and the girls that I competed with has really made it all
worth it.”Now, Rowe competes
in the Miss America pageant which will be held in September.<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3WraZo3DTS1zLZ5A1TVPyF?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ.

Miss Missouri, Courtney Rowe, says emotions run through entire competition

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 10a.m. Sunday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol&nbsp; reported a 1997 Buick LeSabre driven by a 57-year-old Lathrop woman was southbound on MO 33 just south of SE Hilltop Road two miles north of Holt.

The car traveled off the road to avoid a northbound vehicle that had traveled into the path of the Buick.&nbsp; The Buick struck a road reflector sign and a concrete culvert.

A private vehicle transported the driver and a 7-year-old female passenger to Liberty Hospital. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 10a.m. Sunday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol&nbsp; reported a 1997 Buick LeSabre driven by a 57-year-old Lathrop woman was southbound on MO 33 just south of SE Hilltop Road two miles north of Holt.The car traveled off the road to avoid a northbound vehicle that had traveled into the path of the Buick.&nbsp; The Buick struck a road reflector sign and a concrete culvert.A private vehicle transported the driver and a 7-year-old female passenger to Liberty Hospital. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman, 7-year-old injured after car strikes  culvert

The General Assembly hopes to help students in popular degree fields graduate sooner

Missouri students majoring in business, biology, elementary education, psychology and nursing may soon be able to transfer more college credits between the state’s public universities.

State lawmakers negotiated a plan to make 60-credit-hour blocks in five degree programs universally transferable among public universities and community colleges in Missouri as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=106" target="_blank">a bill awaiting the governor’s signature or veto</a>. The change is set to kick in by the 2028-29 school year.

The legislation’s original sponsor, Republican&nbsp; state Rep. Cameron Parker of Campbell, has advocated for the bill for two years in hopes it can reduce the number of classes transfer students have to repeat.

“If you go to a community college in southeast Missouri and you transfer to a four year school in northwest Missouri, we want it to be a seamless transition across the state,” she told The Independent. “So if you go to any community college, you will know what any of the four-year schools are going to take.”

Parker chose the five degree programs in the bill because they were the most popular for community-college students. She sees the potential for colleges to extend similar agreements to other fields but understands the process is “daunting” for universities.

Four-year institutions have been the only pushback on the legislation — which garnered near unanimous approval from the Missouri House.

Paul Wagner, executive director of the Council on Public Higher Education, told a House committee in February that he wished the bill would allow for colleges to keep existing agreements for the five degrees intact. Wagner’s group represents Missouri’s public universities outside of the University of Missouri system.

“We still have some concerns that it is going to be throwing out the good in hopes that whatever the new thing is might be better,” Wagner told The Independent in an interview Wednesday.

But Brian Millner, president of the Missouri Community College Association, said in the House hearing that the current system is not working for students.

“Our transfer and articulation system is built on a house of cards of literally thousands of articulation agreements between a community college and a university for a particular program replicated over and over and over again,” he said. “We can do better for our students.”

Navigating these articulation agreements can be challenging, Millner said, and it increasingly hurts students who do not have a clear idea of which four-year college they will transfer to.

The issue expands beyond students and impacts Missouri taxpayers, Parker said, since many Missouri students use the state-funded&nbsp;<a href="https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants-scholarships/a-plus" target="_blank">A+ Scholarship Program</a>&nbsp;to pay for community college. The A+ program pays for students to take 12 to 18 credit hours at a community college each semester for up to two years.

“If kids are taking 60 hours and then they’re transferring only 42, it is not fair to the kids. It is not fair to their parents, and it is not fair to the taxpayers paying for the A+ Program,” Parker said.

Since the 2018-19 school year, Missouri public universities have collaborated on a 42-credit-hour block of general education requirements,&nbsp;<a href="https://dhewd.mo.gov/higher-education/academic-affairs/core-42" target="_blank">dubbed the CORE 42</a>, thanks to a law passed by the General Assembly.

There were “fits” at the beginning of the program, Wagner said, but “implementation has worked really well.”

Parker’s legislation would expand the existing program, adding 18 more universally transferable credit hours for the five degree programs. Mirroring the implementation CORE 42,&nbsp; a coordinating board of stakeholders will oversee the course-equivalency block.

As part of negotiations with universities, Parker edited the legislation to call for an equal number of representatives from community colleges and four-year institutions on the board. Her original bill called for one member per school.

The change, she said, helped tamp down some concerns and advance the bill this year.

“When everybody started coming to the table and sitting down and making these big fixes that helped everybody across the board, then I became pretty hopeful (that the bill would pass),” she said.

Gov. Mike Kehoe has until July 15 to sign or veto bills passed this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750513055513.png" alt="State Rep. Cameron Parker, a Republican from Campbell, presents a bill in the Missouri House in February (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>State Rep. Cameron Parker, a Republican from Campbell, presents a bill in the Missouri House in February (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The General Assembly hopes to help students in popular degree fields graduate sooner</h2>&nbsp;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>Missouri students majoring in business, biology, elementary education, psychology and nursing may soon be able to transfer more college credits between the state’s public universities.State lawmakers negotiated a plan to make 60-credit-hour blocks in five degree programs universally transferable among public universities and community colleges in Missouri as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=106" target="_blank">a bill awaiting the governor’s signature or veto</a>. The change is set to kick in by the 2028-29 school year.The legislation’s original sponsor, Republican&nbsp; state Rep. Cameron Parker of Campbell, has advocated for the bill for two years in hopes it can reduce the number of classes transfer students have to repeat.“If you go to a community college in southeast Missouri and you transfer to a four year school in northwest Missouri, we want it to be a seamless transition across the state,” she told The Independent. “So if you go to any community college, you will know what any of the four-year schools are going to take.”Parker chose the five degree programs in the bill because they were the most popular for community-college students. She sees the potential for colleges to extend similar agreements to other fields but understands the process is “daunting” for universities.Four-year institutions have been the only pushback on the legislation — which garnered near unanimous approval from the Missouri House.Paul Wagner, executive director of the Council on Public Higher Education, told a House committee in February that he wished the bill would allow for colleges to keep existing agreements for the five degrees intact. Wagner’s group represents Missouri’s public universities outside of the University of Missouri system.“We still have some concerns that it is going to be throwing out the good in hopes that whatever the new thing is might be better,” Wagner told The Independent in an interview Wednesday.But Brian Millner, president of the Missouri Community College Association, said in the House hearing that the current system is not working for students.“Our transfer and articulation system is built on a house of cards of literally thousands of articulation agreements between a community college and a university for a particular program replicated over and over and over again,” he said. “We can do better for our students.”Navigating these articulation agreements can be challenging, Millner said, and it increasingly hurts students who do not have a clear idea of which four-year college they will transfer to.GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.SUBSCRIBEThe issue expands beyond students and impacts Missouri taxpayers, Parker said, since many Missouri students use the state-funded&nbsp;<a href="https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants-scholarships/a-plus" target="_blank">A+ Scholarship Program</a>&nbsp;to pay for community college. The A+ program pays for students to take 12 to 18 credit hours at a community college each semester for up to two years.“If kids are taking 60 hours and then they’re transferring only 42, it is not fair to the kids. It is not fair to their parents, and it is not fair to the taxpayers paying for the A+ Program,” Parker said.Since the 2018-19 school year, Missouri public universities have collaborated on a 42-credit-hour block of general education requirements,&nbsp;<a href="https://dhewd.mo.gov/higher-education/academic-affairs/core-42" target="_blank">dubbed the CORE 42</a>, thanks to a law passed by the General Assembly.There were “fits” at the beginning of the program, Wagner said, but “implementation has worked really well.”Parker’s legislation would expand the existing program, adding 18 more universally transferable credit hours for the five degree programs. Mirroring the implementation CORE 42,&nbsp; a coordinating board of stakeholders will oversee the course-equivalency block.As part of negotiations with universities, Parker edited the legislation to call for an equal number of representatives from community colleges and four-year institutions on the board. Her original bill called for one member per school.The change, she said, helped tamp down some concerns and advance the bill this year.“When everybody started coming to the table and sitting down and making these big fixes that helped everybody across the board, then I became pretty hopeful (that the bill would pass),” she said.Gov. Mike Kehoe has until July 15 to sign or veto bills passed this year.

Missouri lawmakers push state colleges to create 60-credit-hour transferable degree programs

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with James Bowden on the new Kernza wheat variety that was developed in Kansas.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4QTsxCp1QbE?si=RGRJXWET7f5HPrA6" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with James Bowden on the new Kernza wheat variety that was developed in Kansas.

🎤 Forward Ever: James Bowden on new wheat variety

Only three states had a higher rate of nursing home residents on antipsychotic drugs

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>

Missouri has among the highest rates of antipsychotic drug use in nursing home residents, contributing to the state’s health care system ranking near the bottom nationally in a report released Wednesday.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2025/jun/2025-scorecard-state-health-system-performance" target="_blank">report, published by The Commonwealth Fund,</a>&nbsp;a private foundation focused on health care issues, used data from 2023 to measure every state’s health care access, quality and outcomes across six dimensions.&nbsp;

Around 15% of nursing home residents nationally are administered antipsychotic drugs, according to the Commonwealth Fund study.&nbsp;In Missouri, that figure was just over 21%.&nbsp;Only Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota had higher rates.&nbsp;

The data, collected by the federal government, excludes residents with schizophrenia, Tourette’s syndrome or Huntington’s disease — conditions for which antipsychotics are generally considered medically necessary.

Studies have found antipsychotic drugs are often administered to residents of nursing homes&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats-waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/WMD%20Nursing%20Home%20Report_Final.pdf" target="_blank">without medical necessity, posing medical risks and side effects.</a>&nbsp;They’ve also been used for residents with dementia, other cognitive impairments, or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2024/april/understaffing-nursing-homes-antipsychotics.html" target="_blank">behavioral issues</a>&nbsp;to help control their behavior or sedate them&nbsp;<a href="https://medicareadvocacy.org/stop-drugging-nursing-home-residents-without-their-written-consent/" target="_blank">without their consent.</a>&nbsp;

Research has found a link between&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/missouri-advocates-decry-nursing-home-staffing-shortages-which-rank-among-worst-in-nation/">low nursing home staffing levels</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mcknights.com/news/antipsychotic-prescribing-higher-at-nursing-homes-in-disadvantaged-areas-study/" target="_blank">higher rates of antipsychotic drug use.&nbsp;</a>

The Commonwealth Fund’s findings echo a report last year from the U.S. Department of Justice that found&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/20/missouri-is-breaking-federal-law-by-housing-mentally-ill-in-nursing-homes-doj-finds/#:~:text=By%3A%20Clara%20Bates%20%2D%20June%2020,a%20scathing%20report%20published%20Tuesday.">Missouri in violation of federal disability law</a>&nbsp;for unnecessarily institutionalizing thousands of adults with mental illness in nursing homes when they would be better off in a less-restrictive environment.&nbsp;

Missouri is an outlier nationally in placing people with mental health needs in nursing homes.

The state is still in settlement negotiations with the DOJ over its findings, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Mental Health told The Independent. Missouri officials are working with the DOJ to come up with a plan to fix the violations identified in the report. If they can’t reach a resolution, the DOJ could file a lawsuit.

Beyond issues in Missouri nursing homes, the state’s health care system overall ranked&nbsp;43rd out of the 50 states plus D.C. in the Commonwealth Fund report.&nbsp;While the state has seen improvements in areas like the adult insured population over the years since Medicaid eligibility was expanded, other metrics, like premature deaths from preventable causes, have gotten worse.&nbsp;

Sara Collins, author of Wednesday’s report&nbsp;and Commonwealth Fund Senior Scholar and Vice President for Health Care Coverage and Access,&nbsp;said in a press briefing that the report “continues to reveal vast geographic variation in Americans’ coverage and access to care, health outcomes and people’s ability to live a long and healthy life.”

Congress is debating a budget bill that could cut millions nationally from Medicaid.

“Federal policy changes, both underway and proposed, threaten to reverse the improvements achieved by states, exacerbate areas of slippage,” Collins added, “and deepen geographic income and racial and ethnic disparities and health outcomes.”&nbsp;

Missouri’s uninsured rate improved between 2019 and 2023, as was the case nationally: The adult uninsured rate fell from 14% to 11% in Missouri, and kids’ uninsured rate fell from 7% to 5%. Both are now on par with the national average. Missouri implemented Medicaid expansion in 2021. The rate of adults going without care because of cost also declined.

But on the access and affordability category overall, Missouri ranked 36th, with a higher-than-average share of people with medical debt in collections and rate of those with high out-of-pocket medical costs relative to their income.

Missouri especially struggled in the “avoidable use and cost” category, with only West Virginia ranking worse. That includes low primary care spending, high rates of preventable hospitalizations and avoidable ER visits.&nbsp;

More children in Missouri lack preventative care than the national average. Thirty-five percent of Missouri children lacked medical and dental preventative care from 2022 to 2023. The national average was 32%.&nbsp;

Children also had trouble accessing mental health care in Missouri, with 24% of kids not receiving&nbsp; mental health care as needed, while the national average was 20%.&nbsp;

Missouri was better than average in a handful of categories. For one, the state had fewer adults with substance use disorder who lacked treatment. Nationally, 77% of those adults lack treatment, but in Missouri that number is 73%, or 11th best in the country.&nbsp;

The infant mortality rate got slightly worse from 2019 to 2023 and ranked 39th in the country.

“Threatened access to reproductive and maternal health care may further worsen infant mortality and sharpen current disparities between states,” the report noted, nationally. Missouri banned abortion until late last year, when it was legalized by initiative petition.

The rate of premature deaths from preventable causes got worse during the same period, and Missouri ranked 43rd in the country.

Additionally, more adults smoke in Missouri than the national average — 15% in Missouri versus 11%, or the 44th ranking.&nbsp;

Missouri had lower-than-average alcohol deaths.&nbsp;

47th on income disparity and 31st on racial equity&nbsp;

Missouri ranked among the worst states — 47th — for disparities in health care based on income. Low-income Missourians are far more likely to report fair or poor health than higher earners, and far more likely to have lost several teeth and/or be obese.

Missouri had slightly worse racial disparities in medical care than the national average.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749001441976.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Only three states had a higher rate of nursing home residents on antipsychotic drugs</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>Missouri has among the highest rates of antipsychotic drug use in nursing home residents, contributing to the state’s health care system ranking near the bottom nationally in a report released Wednesday.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2025/jun/2025-scorecard-state-health-system-performance" target="_blank">report, published by The Commonwealth Fund,</a>&nbsp;a private foundation focused on health care issues, used data from 2023 to measure every state’s health care access, quality and outcomes across six dimensions.&nbsp;Around 15% of nursing home residents nationally are administered antipsychotic drugs, according to the Commonwealth Fund study.&nbsp;In Missouri, that figure was just over 21%.&nbsp;Only Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota had higher rates.&nbsp;The data, collected by the federal government, excludes residents with schizophrenia, Tourette’s syndrome or Huntington’s disease — conditions for which antipsychotics are generally considered medically necessary.Studies have found antipsychotic drugs are often administered to residents of nursing homes&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats-waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/WMD%20Nursing%20Home%20Report_Final.pdf" target="_blank">without medical necessity, posing medical risks and side effects.</a>&nbsp;They’ve also been used for residents with dementia, other cognitive impairments, or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2024/april/understaffing-nursing-homes-antipsychotics.html" target="_blank">behavioral issues</a>&nbsp;to help control their behavior or sedate them&nbsp;<a href="https://medicareadvocacy.org/stop-drugging-nursing-home-residents-without-their-written-consent/" target="_blank">without their consent.</a>&nbsp;Research has found a link between&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/missouri-advocates-decry-nursing-home-staffing-shortages-which-rank-among-worst-in-nation/">low nursing home staffing levels</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mcknights.com/news/antipsychotic-prescribing-higher-at-nursing-homes-in-disadvantaged-areas-study/" target="_blank">higher rates of antipsychotic drug use.&nbsp;</a>The Commonwealth Fund’s findings echo a report last year from the U.S. Department of Justice that found&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/20/missouri-is-breaking-federal-law-by-housing-mentally-ill-in-nursing-homes-doj-finds/#:~:text=By%3A%20Clara%20Bates%20%2D%20June%2020,a%20scathing%20report%20published%20Tuesday.">Missouri in violation of federal disability law</a>&nbsp;for unnecessarily institutionalizing thousands of adults with mental illness in nursing homes when they would be better off in a less-restrictive environment.&nbsp;Missouri is an outlier nationally in placing people with mental health needs in nursing homes.The state is still in settlement negotiations with the DOJ over its findings, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Mental Health told The Independent. Missouri officials are working with the DOJ to come up with a plan to fix the violations identified in the report. If they can’t reach a resolution, the DOJ could file a lawsuit.Beyond issues in Missouri nursing homes, the state’s health care system overall ranked&nbsp;43rd out of the 50 states plus D.C. in the Commonwealth Fund report.&nbsp;While the state has seen improvements in areas like the adult insured population over the years since Medicaid eligibility was expanded, other metrics, like premature deaths from preventable causes, have gotten worse.&nbsp;Sara Collins, author of Wednesday’s report&nbsp;and Commonwealth Fund Senior Scholar and Vice President for Health Care Coverage and Access,&nbsp;said in a press briefing that the report “continues to reveal vast geographic variation in Americans’ coverage and access to care, health outcomes and people’s ability to live a long and healthy life.”Congress is debating a budget bill that could cut millions nationally from Medicaid.“Federal policy changes, both underway and proposed, threaten to reverse the improvements achieved by states, exacerbate areas of slippage,” Collins added, “and deepen geographic income and racial and ethnic disparities and health outcomes.”&nbsp;<h2>36th on access and affordability</h2>Missouri’s uninsured rate improved between 2019 and 2023, as was the case nationally: The adult uninsured rate fell from 14% to 11% in Missouri, and kids’ uninsured rate fell from 7% to 5%. Both are now on par with the national average. Missouri implemented Medicaid expansion in 2021. The rate of adults going without care because of cost also declined.But on the access and affordability category overall, Missouri ranked 36th, with a higher-than-average share of people with medical debt in collections and rate of those with high out-of-pocket medical costs relative to their income.<h2>50th on avoidable hospital use and cost</h2>Missouri especially struggled in the “avoidable use and cost” category, with only West Virginia ranking worse. That includes low primary care spending, high rates of preventable hospitalizations and avoidable ER visits.&nbsp;<h2>40th on prevention and treatment</h2>More children in Missouri lack preventative care than the national average. Thirty-five percent of Missouri children lacked medical and dental preventative care from 2022 to 2023. The national average was 32%.&nbsp;Children also had trouble accessing mental health care in Missouri, with 24% of kids not receiving&nbsp; mental health care as needed, while the national average was 20%.&nbsp;Missouri was better than average in a handful of categories. For one, the state had fewer adults with substance use disorder who lacked treatment. Nationally, 77% of those adults lack treatment, but in Missouri that number is 73%, or 11th best in the country.&nbsp;<h2>40th on healthy lives</h2>The infant mortality rate got slightly worse from 2019 to 2023 and ranked 39th in the country.“Threatened access to reproductive and maternal health care may further worsen infant mortality and sharpen current disparities between states,” the report noted, nationally. Missouri banned abortion until late last year, when it was legalized by initiative petition.The rate of premature deaths from preventable causes got worse during the same period, and Missouri ranked 43rd in the country.Additionally, more adults smoke in Missouri than the national average — 15% in Missouri versus 11%, or the 44th ranking.&nbsp;Missouri had lower-than-average alcohol deaths.&nbsp;<h2>47th on income disparity and 31st on racial equity&nbsp;</h2>Missouri ranked among the worst states — 47th — for disparities in health care based on income. Low-income Missourians are far more likely to report fair or poor health than higher earners, and far more likely to have lost several teeth and/or be obese.Missouri had slightly worse racial disparities in medical care than the national average.

Missouri’s health system among worst-performing in the country, report finds

NODAWAY COUNTY, Mo. — Motorists in Nodaway County should prepare for lane closures and possible delays as the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) begins a resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 136 starting Monday, June 10.

The work, led by Herzog Contracting Corporation, will take place in two-mile segments from Route 46 near Ravenwood to Route J near Conception. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during active construction hours, with a pilot car guiding vehicles through the zone.

Crews will be working Monday through Saturday during daylight hours, with the project expected to wrap up by the end of July, weather permitting.

MoDOT encourages drivers to plan ahead, expect delays, and use caution in the work zone. For the latest updates on road work and traffic conditions, visit <a href="http://traveler.modot.org">traveler.modot.org</a>.

NODAWAY COUNTY, Mo. — Motorists in Nodaway County should prepare for lane closures and possible delays as the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) begins a resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 136 starting Monday, June 10.The work, led by Herzog Contracting Corporation, will take place in two-mile segments from Route 46 near Ravenwood to Route J near Conception. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during active construction hours, with a pilot car guiding vehicles through the zone.Crews will be working Monday through Saturday during daylight hours, with the project expected to wrap up by the end of July, weather permitting.MoDOT encourages drivers to plan ahead, expect delays, and use caution in the work zone. For the latest updates on road work and traffic conditions, visit <a href="http://traveler.modot.org">traveler.modot.org</a>.

MoDOT Resurfacing Project to Begin Monday on U.S. Highway 136 in Nodaway County

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Community theater takes center stage this weekend as the Maryville Young Players present a heartwarming production of Annie, the Musical at the Schneider Performing Arts Center.

The show is part of MYP’s “Second Act” program, which invites participants of all ages and experience levels from the Maryville area to come together and create a Broadway-style production. After three weeks of dedicated rehearsal, the cast is ready to share their talents with the community.

Performances begin Friday, June 20 at 7 p.m., with additional shows on Saturday at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be reserved online through the Maryville Young Players Facebook page or their official website. Whether you’re a lifelong theater fan or simply looking for a fun night out, Annie promises family-friendly entertainment and a showcase of local talent.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Community theater takes center stage this weekend as the Maryville Young Players present a heartwarming production of Annie, the Musical at the Schneider Performing Arts Center.The show is part of MYP’s “Second Act” program, which invites participants of all ages and experience levels from the Maryville area to come together and create a Broadway-style production. After three weeks of dedicated rehearsal, the cast is ready to share their talents with the community.Performances begin Friday, June 20 at 7 p.m., with additional shows on Saturday at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.Tickets can be reserved online through the Maryville Young Players Facebook page or their official website. Whether you’re a lifelong theater fan or simply looking for a fun night out, Annie promises family-friendly entertainment and a showcase of local talent.

Maryville Young Players Present “Annie” This Weekend

MARYVILLE, Mo.&nbsp; — Whether you're known for spinning tales or simply looking to pick up a relaxing new hobby, the Maryville Public Library is offering a creative opportunity this Friday evening.

A Beginner Crochet Class will be held Friday at 6 p.m. in the library’s basement. Attendees will receive hands-on instruction covering everything from how to choose yarn and patterns to starting a project and learning basic stitches.

The class is geared toward adults, but anyone aged 13 and older is welcome to participate. For just $5, each participant will receive a complete crochet starter kit.

Interested individuals can sign up at the library's front desk. Whether you’re already an avid reader or just curious about the craft, this is a perfect way to unwind and learn something new in a cozy, welcoming setting.

MARYVILLE, Mo.&nbsp; — Whether you're known for spinning tales or simply looking to pick up a relaxing new hobby, the Maryville Public Library is offering a creative opportunity this Friday evening.A Beginner Crochet Class will be held Friday at 6 p.m. in the library’s basement. Attendees will receive hands-on instruction covering everything from how to choose yarn and patterns to starting a project and learning basic stitches.The class is geared toward adults, but anyone aged 13 and older is welcome to participate. For just $5, each participant will receive a complete crochet starter kit.Interested individuals can sign up at the library's front desk. Whether you’re already an avid reader or just curious about the craft, this is a perfect way to unwind and learn something new in a cozy, welcoming setting.

Maryville Public Library Hosting Beginner Crochet Class Friday

RED OAK, Iowa — Red Oak residents and property owners will have an opportunity to declutter their homes and yards during a city-wide clean-up event taking place Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds gravel parking lot near the white fair building.

The event is being funded by a new $4 monthly fee added to city water bills and is free of charge to residents dropping off trash, furniture, appliances, and various other unwanted items.

During Monday’s City Council meeting, City Administrator Lisa Kotter detailed the traffic route for accessing the drop-off site. Participants will enter at 8th Street near Red Oak High School, follow signage through the high school lot, then travel via Alix Avenue toward the nursing home entrance, ending at the fairgrounds' big gravel lot.

Proof of residency or ownership is required, such as a driver’s license, water bill, or property tax statement, and will be checked near the east end of the high school parking lot.

In addition to general refuse, contractors will handle specific items, including:

Not accepted:
🚫 Household hazardous waste
🚫 Large construction debris

The city is also offering pickup services, primarily for elderly or mobility-limited residents. As of this week, over 50 households have signed up. Volunteers will assist in collecting items and will be identified by bright dashboard signs for easy site access.

RED OAK, Iowa — Red Oak residents and property owners will have an opportunity to declutter their homes and yards during a city-wide clean-up event taking place Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds gravel parking lot near the white fair building.The event is being funded by a new $4 monthly fee added to city water bills and is free of charge to residents dropping off trash, furniture, appliances, and various other unwanted items.During Monday’s City Council meeting, City Administrator Lisa Kotter detailed the traffic route for accessing the drop-off site. Participants will enter at 8th Street near Red Oak High School, follow signage through the high school lot, then travel via Alix Avenue toward the nursing home entrance, ending at the fairgrounds' big gravel lot.Proof of residency or ownership is required, such as a driver’s license, water bill, or property tax statement, and will be checked near the east end of the high school parking lot.In addition to general refuse, contractors will handle specific items, including:<ul>
 <li>Tires
</li><li>E-waste
</li><li>Paint cans (collected and dried out by John Gross)
</li><li>Scrap metal
Kotter noted that scrap from the tornado-damaged street department shop will also be hauled off during the event.
</li>
 </ul>Not accepted:
🚫 Household hazardous waste
🚫 Large construction debrisThe city is also offering pickup services, primarily for elderly or mobility-limited residents. As of this week, over 50 households have signed up. Volunteers will assist in collecting items and will be identified by bright dashboard signs for easy site access.

Red Oak Prepares for City-Wide Clean-Up Event This Weekend

FALLS CITY, Neb. — Falls City Council members gave the green light to multiple street closure requests for upcoming summer events during their meeting Monday evening.

The council approved a request from the Falls City Chamber and Main Street to close the 1500 block of Stone Street on July 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Lemonade Days. Additional street closures were approved in preparation for the Cobblestone Festival set for August.

In addition to event planning, the council adopted several workplace safety programs as recommended by the city’s Safety Committee, including:

The initiatives aim to improve safety procedures for municipal employees.

FALLS CITY, Neb. — Falls City Council members gave the green light to multiple street closure requests for upcoming summer events during their meeting Monday evening.The council approved a request from the Falls City Chamber and Main Street to close the 1500 block of Stone Street on July 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Lemonade Days. Additional street closures were approved in preparation for the Cobblestone Festival set for August.Other approved closures include:<ul>
 <li>June 28 — 7th Street between Harlan and Lane Streets, requested by the American Legion Club for a fireworks event.
</li><li>June 27 — 17th Street between Harlan and Lane Streets, requested by First United Methodist Church for an Ice Cream Social and fireworks display.
</li>
 </ul>In addition to event planning, the council adopted several workplace safety programs as recommended by the city’s Safety Committee, including:<ul>
 <li>A Hearing Conservation Program
</li><li>A Lock Out/Tag Out Program
</li><li>A Near Miss Reporting Program
</li>
 </ul>The initiatives aim to improve safety procedures for municipal employees.

Falls City Council Approves Street Closures, Safety Initiatives

NODAWAY COUNTY, Mo. — A Richmond man suffered moderate injuries in a motorcycle crash Saturday afternoon in Nodaway County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The accident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Route O, near the intersection with Nodaway-Gentry County Road. Authorities report the 44-year-old man was riding a 2024 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound when he failed to negotiate a curve and veered off the west side of the road. The motorcycle overturned, ejecting the driver, and came to rest on its passenger side.

The driver, who was wearing a helmet, sustained moderate injuries, but refused medical treatment at the scene.

Nodaway and Gentry County sheriff's deputies, Nodaway County EMS, and Ravenwood first responders all assisted at the scene.

NODAWAY COUNTY, Mo. — A Richmond man suffered moderate injuries in a motorcycle crash Saturday afternoon in Nodaway County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.The accident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Route O, near the intersection with Nodaway-Gentry County Road. Authorities report the 44-year-old man was riding a 2024 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound when he failed to negotiate a curve and veered off the west side of the road. The motorcycle overturned, ejecting the driver, and came to rest on its passenger side.The driver, who was wearing a helmet, sustained moderate injuries, but refused medical treatment at the scene.Nodaway and Gentry County sheriff's deputies, Nodaway County EMS, and Ravenwood first responders all assisted at the scene.

Motorcyclist Injured in Weekend Crash in Nodaway County

FALLS CITY, Neb.&nbsp; — The Falls City Council addressed several key items Monday evening, including the renewal of employee health insurance, upcoming union contract negotiations, and plans for a major energy infrastructure project.

Council members voted to renew the city’s employee health insurance policy with MEDICA. The plan comes with a 6.98% premium increase, bringing the city’s monthly premium to approximately $85,350 for the upcoming year.

In another significant move, the council voted 7-1 to approve a legal services agreement with Woods Aitken LLP for assistance in 2025 union contract negotiations. The firm will represent the city in discussions with the Communications Workers of America, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represent different departments of city employees.

Attorney Jerry Pigsley will lead the negotiations on behalf of the city at a rate of $355 per hour. The agreement also allows for additional costs related to out-of-pocket expenses and services from other attorneys, paralegals, or legal assistants. Councilman Frank Killingsworth was the only dissenting vote on the matter.

The council also authorized staff to seek qualifications from engineering firms for the Energy Forward Transmission Project. The project includes:

Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Friday, July 15, to Utility Supervisor Trevor Campbell, and will be reviewed by the Board of Public Works.

FALLS CITY, Neb.&nbsp; — The Falls City Council addressed several key items Monday evening, including the renewal of employee health insurance, upcoming union contract negotiations, and plans for a major energy infrastructure project.Council members voted to renew the city’s employee health insurance policy with MEDICA. The plan comes with a 6.98% premium increase, bringing the city’s monthly premium to approximately $85,350 for the upcoming year.In another significant move, the council voted 7-1 to approve a legal services agreement with Woods Aitken LLP for assistance in 2025 union contract negotiations. The firm will represent the city in discussions with the Communications Workers of America, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represent different departments of city employees.Attorney Jerry Pigsley will lead the negotiations on behalf of the city at a rate of $355 per hour. The agreement also allows for additional costs related to out-of-pocket expenses and services from other attorneys, paralegals, or legal assistants. Councilman Frank Killingsworth was the only dissenting vote on the matter.The council also authorized staff to seek qualifications from engineering firms for the Energy Forward Transmission Project. The project includes:<ul>
 <li>Designing and managing construction of approximately 15 miles of transmission line
</li><li>A new substation with a capacity of up to 50 Mega Volt-Amperes (MVA)
</li><li>Right-of-way procurement services
</li>
 </ul>Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Friday, July 15, to Utility Supervisor Trevor Campbell, and will be reviewed by the Board of Public Works.

Falls City Council Approves Health Insurance Renewal and Prepares for Union Contract Negotiations

The NFL has announced&nbsp; dates for rookies and veterans to report to training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs as well as the rest of the league.&nbsp;

Chiefs rookies and veterans are scheduled to report to Missouri Western on July 21st according to the NFL.&nbsp; The Chiefs are currently in the midst of a three-day mandatory minicamp in Kansas City that wraps up Thursday.

The Chiefs and Missouri Western State University have not officially announced an updated contract for training camp after the current deal expired following last years camp.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723743620442.jpeg" alt="Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gets ready to take a snap from center Creed Humprey during Training Camp in St. Joseph/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gets ready to take a snap from center Creed Humprey during Training Camp in St. Joseph/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKEThe NFL has announced&nbsp; dates for rookies and veterans to report to training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs as well as the rest of the league.&nbsp;Chiefs rookies and veterans are scheduled to report to Missouri Western on July 21st according to the NFL.&nbsp; The Chiefs are currently in the midst of a three-day mandatory minicamp in Kansas City that wraps up Thursday.The Chiefs and Missouri Western State University have not officially announced an updated contract for training camp after the current deal expired following last years camp.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

NFL announces report dates for Chiefs rookies and veterans at MWSU

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Campus improvements are underway at Northwest Missouri State University, including the relocation of the Mark Rosewell Tennis Center, part of a larger effort involving Martindale Hall renovations and storm water system updates.

The university’s intercollegiate tennis courts are being relocated from their longtime spot near the Foster Fitness Center to west of Hughes Fieldhouse, adjacent to the Bearcat Soccer Pitch. The move was prompted by planned trenching through the current site later this summer, which made restoration impractical.

Concrete work for the new tennis courts was completed on Monday, with the project on track for an early August completion.

The campus upgrades extend beyond tennis. The throws cage for track and field has also been relocated, consolidating shotput, discus, hammer throw, and javelin into a shared area. The changes reflect a long-term facilities plan developed years ago.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Campus improvements are underway at Northwest Missouri State University, including the relocation of the Mark Rosewell Tennis Center, part of a larger effort involving Martindale Hall renovations and storm water system updates.The university’s intercollegiate tennis courts are being relocated from their longtime spot near the Foster Fitness Center to west of Hughes Fieldhouse, adjacent to the Bearcat Soccer Pitch. The move was prompted by planned trenching through the current site later this summer, which made restoration impractical.Concrete work for the new tennis courts was completed on Monday, with the project on track for an early August completion.The campus upgrades extend beyond tennis. The throws cage for track and field has also been relocated, consolidating shotput, discus, hammer throw, and javelin into a shared area. The changes reflect a long-term facilities plan developed years ago.

Northwest Missouri State University Moves Forward with Tennis Court Relocation Amid Campus Upgrades

MARYVILLE, Mo. — A new home on South Mulberry Street in Maryville marks a significant milestone for Habitat for Humanity of Nodaway County, as the organization celebrates the completion of its 13th home built since 2004.

The local chapter is part of Habitat for Humanity, a nationwide nonprofit Christian organization that uses volunteer labor, donated materials, and a pay-it-forward financial model to provide affordable housing. Partner families contribute labor toward the build and purchase the homes through zero-interest mortgages, with their payments supporting future projects.

The latest home was awarded to Hilary Steinman, who met the employment and financial criteria required by the organization. She was overcome with emotion when Habitat Board members delivered the news.

The new residence is approximately 1,340 square feet, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was constructed in partnership with students from the Northwest Technical School’s building trades program, continuing a collaboration that began in 2020.

To celebrate the project and thank community partners, Habitat for Humanity of Nodaway County is hosting an open house on Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m.. For more information, visit <a href="http://nodawayhabitat.org">nodawayhabitat.org</a>.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — A new home on South Mulberry Street in Maryville marks a significant milestone for Habitat for Humanity of Nodaway County, as the organization celebrates the completion of its 13th home built since 2004.The local chapter is part of Habitat for Humanity, a nationwide nonprofit Christian organization that uses volunteer labor, donated materials, and a pay-it-forward financial model to provide affordable housing. Partner families contribute labor toward the build and purchase the homes through zero-interest mortgages, with their payments supporting future projects.The latest home was awarded to Hilary Steinman, who met the employment and financial criteria required by the organization. She was overcome with emotion when Habitat Board members delivered the news.The new residence is approximately 1,340 square feet, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was constructed in partnership with students from the Northwest Technical School’s building trades program, continuing a collaboration that began in 2020.To celebrate the project and thank community partners, Habitat for Humanity of Nodaway County is hosting an open house on Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m.. For more information, visit <a href="http://nodawayhabitat.org">nodawayhabitat.org</a>.

Habitat for Humanity of Nodaway County Celebrates 13th Home Build

MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Board of Regents for Northwest Missouri State University is set to convene Wednesday, June 18, for its monthly meeting.

This month’s agenda is relatively light, with most of the session focused on faculty appointments and budget updates. In addition, the board will discuss the naming of the campus tennis facility and the university’s maintenance building.

The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. in the Goppert Foundation Classroom at the Agricultural Learning Center, located on the university’s Campus Farm just north of Maryville along Highway 71.

Board of Regents meetings are open to the public, unless a vote is taken to move into closed session.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Board of Regents for Northwest Missouri State University is set to convene Wednesday, June 18, for its monthly meeting.This month’s agenda is relatively light, with most of the session focused on faculty appointments and budget updates. In addition, the board will discuss the naming of the campus tennis facility and the university’s maintenance building.The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. in the Goppert Foundation Classroom at the Agricultural Learning Center, located on the university’s Campus Farm just north of Maryville along Highway 71.Board of Regents meetings are open to the public, unless a vote is taken to move into closed session.

Northwest Missouri State Regents Set to Meet June 18

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. — Officials in Nebraska City are continuing efforts to address persistent odor issues linked to the local Cargill facility, as community frustrations mount.

During Monday night’s City Council meeting, residents again voiced concerns about strong smells emanating from the plant—particularly during overnight hours.

Mayor Bequette said city officials are working closely with Cargill to implement a three-pronged strategy to reduce the smell:

Cargill is optimistic about identifying a successful odor treatment chemical within two to three weeks.

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. — Officials in Nebraska City are continuing efforts to address persistent odor issues linked to the local Cargill facility, as community frustrations mount.During Monday night’s City Council meeting, residents again voiced concerns about strong smells emanating from the plant—particularly during overnight hours.<h2>Three-Stage Plan to Address the Odor</h2>Mayor Bequette said city officials are working closely with Cargill to implement a three-pronged strategy to reduce the smell:<ol>
 <li>Immediate Efforts:
The plant is testing odor-neutralizing chemicals to bind the particles causing the smell, while ensuring continued compliance with environmental regulations.</li><li>Short-Term Fixes:
Cargill is working to restore bacterial activity in its digesters and anaerobic lagoons, which were disrupted by previous cleaning processes.</li><li>Long-Term Investment:
Plans are underway to completely redesign the wastewater treatment system, which could cost tens of millions of dollars. The city is hoping for corporate-level investment from Cargill to help fund the improvements.
</li>
 </ol>Cargill is optimistic about identifying a successful odor treatment chemical within two to three weeks.<h2>Additional City Improvements Approved</h2>In other city business:<ul>
 <li>The City Council approved a JEO task order for improvements around City Hall, totaling $45,100.
</li><li>A second JEO task order for engineering services was approved for 5th Corso improvements (between 11th and 19th Streets), costing $161,150.
</li>
 </ul>

Nebraska City Continues to Battle Cargill Odor Issue

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the results of its 2025 annual school bus inspection program, aimed at ensuring the safety of students across the state. The report was announced by Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the patrol.

This year, patrol personnel inspected 11,255 school buses statewide, with the following results:

Buses with defective components must be repaired within 10 days. Those placed out of service require repairs and a reinspection by patrol staff before they can transport students again.

A total of 297 school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award for 2025. This designation allows 6,782 buses from these districts to display the Total Fleet Excellence sticker, signifying full compliance with safety standards.

The Highway Patrol emphasizes the importance of ongoing maintenance and collaboration between school districts and state inspectors to keep student transportation safe and reliable.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the results of its 2025 annual school bus inspection program, aimed at ensuring the safety of students across the state. The report was announced by Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the patrol.This year, patrol personnel inspected 11,255 school buses statewide, with the following results:<ul>
 <li>Approved upon initial inspection: 10,144
</li><li>Found defective: 799
</li><li>Placed out-of-service: 312
</li>
 </ul>Buses with defective components must be repaired within 10 days. Those placed out of service require repairs and a reinspection by patrol staff before they can transport students again.A total of 297 school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award for 2025. This designation allows 6,782 buses from these districts to display the Total Fleet Excellence sticker, signifying full compliance with safety standards.<h2>Local District Results</h2><ul>
 <li>Jefferson C-123: 5 buses
60% approved
40% defective
0% out of service

</li><li>60% approved
</li><li>40% defective
</li><li>0% out of service
</li><li>Maryville R-II: 18 buses
83.3% approved
11.1% defective
5.6% out of service

</li><li>83.3% approved
</li><li>11.1% defective
</li><li>5.6% out of service
</li><li>Nodaway-Holt R-VII: 5 buses
100% approved
0% defective/out of service

</li><li>100% approved
</li><li>0% defective/out of service
</li><li>North Nodaway R-VI: 7 buses
57.1% approved
42.9% defective
0% out of service

</li><li>57.1% approved
</li><li>42.9% defective
</li><li>0% out of service
</li><li>Northeast Nodaway R-V: 6 buses
50.0% approved
33.3% defective
16.7% out of service

</li><li>50.0% approved
</li><li>33.3% defective
</li><li>16.7% out of service
</li><li>South Nodaway R-IV: 8 buses
62.5% approved
25.0% defective
12.5% out of service

</li><li>62.5% approved
</li><li>25.0% defective
</li><li>12.5% out of service
</li><li>West Nodaway R-I: 5 buses
60.0% approved
20.0% defective
20.0% out of service

</li><li>60.0% approved
</li><li>20.0% defective
</li><li>20.0% out of service
</li>
 </ul>The Highway Patrol emphasizes the importance of ongoing maintenance and collaboration between school districts and state inspectors to keep student transportation safe and reliable.

Missouri Highway Patrol Releases 2025 School Bus Inspection Results

FALLS CITY, Neb. — The Richardson County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment Tuesday after holding a public hearing on a proposed $256,518 increase in the Capital Acquisition Budget. The added funds will support electrical upgrades at the Law Enforcement Center, to be financed through a Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) lease-purchase agreement. No public comments were made during the hearing.

Following the hearing, the Board adopted a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.

Also during the meeting, commissioners adopted a revised Local Emergency Operations Plan, which had been approved by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Most of the changes to the plan were editorial updates.

Sheriff Rick Hardesty met with the Board to propose wage increases for staff at the Law Enforcement Center, effective July 1, 2025. He also discussed the ongoing law enforcement services agreement between the Sheriff’s Department and the City of Humboldt. Sheriff Hardesty and Commissioner Rick Karas had recently attended a Humboldt City Council meeting, and said a draft of a new agreement is being prepared for city review.

Hardesty also informed the board that Deputy Aitken's patrol vehicle had struck a deer earlier this month.

The Board also heard from Humboldt Mayor Jan Wilhelm, who raised concerns about road and bridge maintenance, particularly the condition of the road leading to the Humboldt Airport.

The next meeting of the Richardson County Commissioners is scheduled for later this month.

FALLS CITY, Neb. — The Richardson County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment Tuesday after holding a public hearing on a proposed $256,518 increase in the Capital Acquisition Budget. The added funds will support electrical upgrades at the Law Enforcement Center, to be financed through a Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) lease-purchase agreement. No public comments were made during the hearing.Following the hearing, the Board adopted a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.Also during the meeting, commissioners adopted a revised Local Emergency Operations Plan, which had been approved by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Most of the changes to the plan were editorial updates.Sheriff Rick Hardesty met with the Board to propose wage increases for staff at the Law Enforcement Center, effective July 1, 2025. He also discussed the ongoing law enforcement services agreement between the Sheriff’s Department and the City of Humboldt. Sheriff Hardesty and Commissioner Rick Karas had recently attended a Humboldt City Council meeting, and said a draft of a new agreement is being prepared for city review.Hardesty also informed the board that Deputy Aitken's patrol vehicle had struck a deer earlier this month.The Board also heard from Humboldt Mayor Jan Wilhelm, who raised concerns about road and bridge maintenance, particularly the condition of the road leading to the Humboldt Airport.In other business:<ul>
 <li>Craig Coonce, a Rulo resident, requested permission to establish a cemetery plot on his land in the Village of Rulo. The Board declined to act on the request, citing a need for more information.
</li><li>The commissioners held a nearly one-hour executive session with Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau and County Attorney Samantha Scheitel to discuss personnel matters.
</li>
 </ul>The next meeting of the Richardson County Commissioners is scheduled for later this month.

Richardson County Commissioners Approve Budget Amendment, Discuss Law Enforcement and Infrastructure

Leaders of the United
States House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee want Congress to
consider an overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Committee chair,
Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, has released a “discussion draft”
along with the ranking Democrat on the Committee, Congressman Rick Larsen of
Washington state.

Graves, a
Republican, says the two want to streamline FEMA, especially to help the
victims of disasters receive aid quicker.

“It just shouldn’t
take as long as FEMA does now, the way it’s set up,” Graves tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post. “It hasn’t been working for Americans for some time now. And we’ve
been working on FEMA reforms over the years and it just simply hasn’t been enough.
So, this is a big overhaul of the system.”

The proposal would
return FEMA to cabinet-level status, reporting directly to the president. It
would require FEMA to eliminate federal jargon and provide clear notices to
victims. It would give incentives to states to invest in disaster mitigation
efforts.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostLeaders of the United
States House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee want Congress to
consider an overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Committee chair,
Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, has released a “discussion draft”
along with the ranking Democrat on the Committee, Congressman Rick Larsen of
Washington state.Graves, a
Republican, says the two want to streamline FEMA, especially to help the
victims of disasters receive aid quicker.“It just shouldn’t
take as long as FEMA does now, the way it’s set up,” Graves tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post. “It hasn’t been working for Americans for some time now. And we’ve
been working on FEMA reforms over the years and it just simply hasn’t been enough.
So, this is a big overhaul of the system.”The proposal would
return FEMA to cabinet-level status, reporting directly to the president. It
would require FEMA to eliminate federal jargon and provide clear notices to
victims. It would give incentives to states to invest in disaster mitigation
efforts.Graves accuses
FEMA of unfairly distributing disaster aid.“And it’s almost
like cherry picking,” Graves says. “Some victims don’t get the help that they
need. Some get more help than they need. This is going to make sure that they
treat everybody fairly. This needs to be done once and for all. The system
needs to be overhauled.”The proposal is
formally called the, “Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025. It
would establish a Recovery Task Force to close out 1,000 lingering disaster declarations
dating back to Hurricane Katrina. It would direct FEMA to improve coordination
among federal agencies that respond to disasters.Graves and Larsen
released what they call a “discussion draft” of the legislation to get feedback
from members of Congress as well as those who work in emergency management.Graves accuses
FEMA of not only unfairly distributing disaster aid, but, at times, playing
politics with it.“Depending on your
politics or what signs that you have in your yard shouldn’t have any impact
whatsoever on whether or not you receive assistance or not,” Graves says.Florida officials
claimed FEMA, during the Biden administration, withheld aid from some Florida
hurricane victims, because they supported then President-elect Trump.Some in
Washington, D.C. have called for the elimination of FEMA with the money spend
on the federal agency distributed to the states.Graves says proposes
overhauling FEMA, not eliminating a federal agency to respond to disasters. “It’s under my
jurisdiction and I do think that we do need a federal agency,” Graves says.The proposal also
would remove obstacles that discourage donations from charities, religious
organizations, and the public, to increase private disaster response. It would
also promote more preventative measures.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ.