ATCHISON COUNTY —Three teens were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.3&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Acura MDX driven by an 18-year-old Bellevue, Nebraska man was northbound on Interstate 29 eight miles south of Hamburg, Iowa.

The SUV traveled off the west side of the road. The vehicle returned to the road, crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and down an embankment. The vehicle struck several trees a fence, became airborne and rolled into a field.&nbsp; One occupant was ejected.

Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver and a passenger identified as a 16-year-old Bellevue boy to Grape Community Hospital.&nbsp; Air by Starcare transported a second passenger, 18-year-old from Bellevue, to Bryan West Medial Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; All three were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Three teens were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.3&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Acura MDX driven by an 18-year-old Bellevue, Nebraska man was northbound on Interstate 29 eight miles south of Hamburg, Iowa.The SUV traveled off the west side of the road. The vehicle returned to the road, crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and down an embankment. The vehicle struck several trees a fence, became airborne and rolled into a field.&nbsp; One occupant was ejected.Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver and a passenger identified as a 16-year-old Bellevue boy to Grape Community Hospital.&nbsp; Air by Starcare transported a second passenger, 18-year-old from Bellevue, to Bryan West Medial Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; All three were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 teens hospitalized after violent SUV crash

As Kansans brace for frigid temperatures this weekend, safety experts and local officials are urging residents to take precautions when heating their homes. With house fires spiking during the coldest months of the year, knowing how to safely use space heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces can be the difference between comfort and catastrophe.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S., with space heaters responsible for the majority of incidents. The American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas reports that home fire responses are 30% higher during cold weather than during the rest of the year.

“Too often we see preventable tragedies happen when families try to stay warm,” said Shannon Wedge, Executive Director of the regional Red Cross. “Simple steps like keeping flammable items three feet away from heat sources and testing smoke alarms can save lives.”

To reduce the risk of fire, officials recommend these guidelines:

In addition to safe heating practices, it is recommended to test smoke alarms monthly and practice a two-minute home escape plan — the average amount of time a family may have to get out of a burning home.&nbsp;

Families who cannot afford smoke alarms or who are unable to install them can contact their local Red Cross office for help.

Home Fire Campaign Continues Saving Lives

Since 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has partnered with communities nationwide to install free smoke alarms, create fire escape plans, and educate residents on fire safety. The campaign has been credited with saving over 2,500 lives so far.

“Preparing now can make all the difference,” Wedge said. “We encourage families to take action before the temperatures drop — your safety depends on it.”

For more resources — including the Red Cross First Aid and Emergency apps — <a href="http://redcross.org/apps">visit redcross.org/apps</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658154478904.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>As Kansans brace for frigid temperatures this weekend, safety experts and local officials are urging residents to take precautions when heating their homes. With house fires spiking during the coldest months of the year, knowing how to safely use space heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces can be the difference between comfort and catastrophe.According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S., with space heaters responsible for the majority of incidents. The American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas reports that home fire responses are 30% higher during cold weather than during the rest of the year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613165765594.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>“Too often we see preventable tragedies happen when families try to stay warm,” said Shannon Wedge, Executive Director of the regional Red Cross. “Simple steps like keeping flammable items three feet away from heat sources and testing smoke alarms can save lives.”<h2>Safe Heating Tips for Winter</h2>To reduce the risk of fire, officials recommend these guidelines:<ol>
 <li>Use space heaters responsibly: Keep them on a hard, flat, nonflammable surface, turn them off before sleeping or leaving the room, and never plug them into an extension cord.</li><li>Create a safety zone: Maintain at least a three-foot clearance around heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves, keeping children, pets, and flammable objects at a safe distance..</li><li>Avoid makeshift heating: Never use ovens or stoves to heat your home — these appliances are not designed for this purpose and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or fires.</li><li>Monitor fireplaces carefully: Always use a metal or glass screen, and make sure embers are fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.</li><li>Schedule annual inspections: Have a professional check your furnace, chimney, and heating systems each year.</li>
 </ol><h2>Plan Ahead for Fire Safety</h2>In addition to safe heating practices, it is recommended to test smoke alarms monthly and practice a two-minute home escape plan — the average amount of time a family may have to get out of a burning home.&nbsp;Families who cannot afford smoke alarms or who are unable to install them can contact their local Red Cross office for help.<h2>Home Fire Campaign Continues Saving Lives</h2>Since 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has partnered with communities nationwide to install free smoke alarms, create fire escape plans, and educate residents on fire safety. The campaign has been credited with saving over 2,500 lives so far.“Preparing now can make all the difference,” Wedge said. “We encourage families to take action before the temperatures drop — your safety depends on it.”For more resources — including the Red Cross First Aid and Emergency apps — <a href="http://redcross.org/apps">visit redcross.org/apps</a>.

Experts urge safe home heating practices as winter weather arrives

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Friday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Suzuki RM250 driven by a 32-year-old Jamesport man was southbound on 250th Street just north of Key Avenue two miles east of Jamison. The motorcycle struck a deer and traveled off the road.&nbsp;

Daviess County EMS transported the rider Lifeflight and to Truman Medical Center. He was not wearing a helmet, at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Friday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Suzuki RM250 driven by a 32-year-old Jamesport man was southbound on 250th Street just north of Key Avenue two miles east of Jamison. The motorcycle struck a deer and traveled off the road.&nbsp;Daviess County EMS transported the rider Lifeflight and to Truman Medical Center. He was not wearing a helmet, at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man airlifted to hospital after motorcycle, deer crash

NODAWAY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Friday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 27-year-old Clarinda, Iowa man was westbound on U.S. 71 five miles north of Maryville. The SUV sruck a deer.&nbsp;

A private vehicle transported a passenger identified as a 25-year-old New Market, Iowa woman to Mosaic in Maryville. The SUV driver was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

NODAWAY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Friday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 27-year-old Clarinda, Iowa man was westbound on U.S. 71 five miles north of Maryville. The SUV sruck a deer.&nbsp;A private vehicle transported a passenger identified as a 25-year-old New Market, Iowa woman to Mosaic in Maryville. The SUV driver was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Woman hospitalized after SUV strikes a deer

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Friday in Livingston County,.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Equinox driven by a 32-year-old Chula woman was southbound on U.S. 65 two miles south of Chillicothe. The SUV rear-ended a 2016 Jeep Renegade driven by a 28-year-old Chillicothe man who had slowed suddenly for an animal in the road.

Chillicothe EMS transported the Chevy driver to Hedrick Medical Center. The Jeep driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Friday in Livingston County,.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Equinox driven by a 32-year-old Chula woman was southbound on U.S. 65 two miles south of Chillicothe. The SUV rear-ended a 2016 Jeep Renegade driven by a 28-year-old Chillicothe man who had slowed suddenly for an animal in the road.Chillicothe EMS transported the Chevy driver to Hedrick Medical Center. The Jeep driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after rear-end crash

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal judge sentenced a former Kansas credit union manager to 63 months in prison for stealing more than $750,000 from her long-time employer and substantially jeopardizing the safety and soundness of the financial institution, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Rita Hartman, 71, of Atchison pleaded guilty to one count of false entries in federal credit union records.

For 30 years, Hartman was the manager of Muddy River Credit Union (formerly Atchison Casting Credit Union and Bradken Federal Credit Union), which served the employees of a foundry located in Atchison, Kansas. 

Hartman’s position gave her control over all aspects of Muddy River’s finances. Between 2007 and 2021, she abused the trust that Muddy River granted her to steal approximately $346,000 in customer cash deposits. 

Hartman also fraudulently credited approximately $430,000 in deposits and loan payments to her or her relatives’ accounts when no payments or deposits had been made. Hartman concealed her conduct by altering ledgers and records and by falsifying information submitted to Muddy River’s regulators. &nbsp;She obstructed efforts to uncover her fraud by submitting fraudulent documents to regulators and delaying a mandated audit. &nbsp;

The defendant’s embezzlement wiped out Muddy River’s capital and rendered it insolvent, ultimately forcing a merger into another credit union to continue operations.&nbsp;

In 2013, the then-Governor of the State of Kansas appointed Hartman to the Kansas Credit Union Council, which advises the Kansas Department of Credit Unions on issues and needs of credit unions. Hartman is also a former mayor and city commissioner in Atchison. A federal judge ordered that during her imprisonment, all of Hartman’s state pension payments be directed towards the $778,361 in restitution she was ordered to pay as part of her sentence.

“For decades, Rita Hartman was a prominent, well-respected figure in Atchison, Kansas,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Instead of living up to the high regard that people in the community had for her, she exploited their trust and used it to perpetuate her embezzlement scheme and line her pockets with stolen funds.”&nbsp;

“The defendant was entrusted with the fiscal responsibility of the credit union’s members. In using the money for her personal benefit, the defendant’s actions were a betrayal of that trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s longstanding commitment to working financial fraud investigations and to hold individuals accountable for their actions.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762534128654.png" alt="Muddy River served the employees of the Bradken foundry located in Atchison, Kansas.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Muddy River served the employees of the Bradken foundry located in Atchison, Kansas.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal judge sentenced a former Kansas credit union manager to 63 months in prison for stealing more than $750,000 from her long-time employer and substantially jeopardizing the safety and soundness of the financial institution, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Rita Hartman, 71, of Atchison pleaded guilty to one count of false entries in federal credit union records.For 30 years, Hartman was the manager of Muddy River Credit Union (formerly Atchison Casting Credit Union and Bradken Federal Credit Union), which served the employees of a foundry located in Atchison, Kansas. Hartman’s position gave her control over all aspects of Muddy River’s finances. Between 2007 and 2021, she abused the trust that Muddy River granted her to steal approximately $346,000 in customer cash deposits. Hartman also fraudulently credited approximately $430,000 in deposits and loan payments to her or her relatives’ accounts when no payments or deposits had been made. Hartman concealed her conduct by altering ledgers and records and by falsifying information submitted to Muddy River’s regulators. &nbsp;She obstructed efforts to uncover her fraud by submitting fraudulent documents to regulators and delaying a mandated audit. &nbsp;The defendant’s embezzlement wiped out Muddy River’s capital and rendered it insolvent, ultimately forcing a merger into another credit union to continue operations.&nbsp;In 2013, the then-Governor of the State of Kansas appointed Hartman to the Kansas Credit Union Council, which advises the Kansas Department of Credit Unions on issues and needs of credit unions. Hartman is also a former mayor and city commissioner in Atchison. A federal judge ordered that during her imprisonment, all of Hartman’s state pension payments be directed towards the $778,361 in restitution she was ordered to pay as part of her sentence.“For decades, Rita Hartman was a prominent, well-respected figure in Atchison, Kansas,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Instead of living up to the high regard that people in the community had for her, she exploited their trust and used it to perpetuate her embezzlement scheme and line her pockets with stolen funds.”&nbsp;“The defendant was entrusted with the fiscal responsibility of the credit union’s members. In using the money for her personal benefit, the defendant’s actions were a betrayal of that trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s longstanding commitment to working financial fraud investigations and to hold individuals accountable for their actions.”

Prison for NE Kan. credit union manager's $700K embezzlement scheme

KANSAS CITY—A former Catholic Diocese executive is accused of stealing more than $150,000 by using church-issued credit cards to buy hundreds of gift cards for personal use, according to the United State's Attorney.

Jeremy Lillig, 44, fraudulently obtained and activated 436 Visa gift cards worth $155,050 while serving as executive director of the Bright Futures Fund and director of stewardship for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph.

The indictment alleges Lillig bought the gift cards between 2017 and 2021 under the pretense of legitimate expenses funded through a Kauffman Foundation grant, then falsified monthly expense reports to conceal the scheme.

Lillig pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of wire fraud.

A trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes.

If convicted, Lillig faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This article has been updated to correct that Lillig worked for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, not for Catholic Charities. We regret the error as previously reported.

KANSAS CITY—A former Catholic Diocese executive is accused of stealing more than $150,000 by using church-issued credit cards to buy hundreds of gift cards for personal use, according to the United State's Attorney.Jeremy Lillig, 44, fraudulently obtained and activated 436 Visa gift cards worth $155,050 while serving as executive director of the Bright Futures Fund and director of stewardship for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph.The indictment alleges Lillig bought the gift cards between 2017 and 2021 under the pretense of legitimate expenses funded through a Kauffman Foundation grant, then falsified monthly expense reports to conceal the scheme.Lillig pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of wire fraud.A trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes.If convicted, Lillig faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.This article has been updated to correct that Lillig worked for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, not for Catholic Charities. We regret the error as previously reported.

Former KC Catholic Diocese executive accused in gift card fraud

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

A newly formed political action committee created to defend the gerrymandered congressional map drawn by Missouri lawmakers received $100,000 this week from national Republicans.

On Wednesday, Put Missouri First reported two $50,000 contributions — one from the National Republican Congressional Committee and the other from the Republican National Committee. It marks the first contributions to the PAC, which was created last week to counter the referendum campaign seeking to put the state’s congressional map on the 2026 ballot.

The Democratic National Committee announced in September that it would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-09-29/democratic-national-committee-will-contribute-to-blocking-missouri-congressional-map" target="_blank">contributing staff and financial resources</a>&nbsp;to bolster a referendum effort.

Matt Belz, a St. Louis attorney serving as treasurer of Put Missouri First, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Missouri’s new congressional districts are part of President Donald Trump’s push for Republican states to revise maps to increase the GOP majority in the U.S. House before next year’s midterm elections.

State lawmakers returned to the Missouri Capitol in September to redraw the map to ensure Republicans have an advantage in seven of the state’s eight districts. The new map carves up the 5th District, based in Kansas City and represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver since 2005, to make it easier to flip the seat for Republicans.

Immediately after the map was approved, a PAC called People Not Politicians filed a referendum to place it on the ballot. The group has until Dec. 11 to turn in at least 106,000 signatures in order to force a vote on the plan. On Wednesday, it said it had already exceeded 200,000 signatures.

The referendum campaign faces a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway claiming it is unconstitutional and numerous procedural hurdles enacted by the secretary of state’s office.

But People Not Politicians has raised more than $3 million in just two months, mostly from out-of-state groups. And it is getting help from the Missouri AFL-CIO, which led the referendum campaign in 2018 that collected 300,000 signatures and repealed the state’s a right-to-work law.

“We’re continuing to gather signatures because Missourians want their voices to be heard. We will not stop collecting or be deterred,” said Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians. “Every attack from politicians trying to silence us brings us more volunteers and more support.”

Of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the Missouri ballot, voters have rejected actions by the General Assembly all but twice — including 1922, when voters overturned a congressional map passed by the legislature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757444658128.png" alt="Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago " />
 <figcaption>Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago </figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A newly formed political action committee created to defend the gerrymandered congressional map drawn by Missouri lawmakers received $100,000 this week from national Republicans.On Wednesday, Put Missouri First reported two $50,000 contributions — one from the National Republican Congressional Committee and the other from the Republican National Committee. It marks the first contributions to the PAC, which was created last week to counter the referendum campaign seeking to put the state’s congressional map on the 2026 ballot.The Democratic National Committee announced in September that it would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-09-29/democratic-national-committee-will-contribute-to-blocking-missouri-congressional-map" target="_blank">contributing staff and financial resources</a>&nbsp;to bolster a referendum effort.Matt Belz, a St. Louis attorney serving as treasurer of Put Missouri First, could not be immediately reached for comment.Missouri’s new congressional districts are part of President Donald Trump’s push for Republican states to revise maps to increase the GOP majority in the U.S. House before next year’s midterm elections.State lawmakers returned to the Missouri Capitol in September to redraw the map to ensure Republicans have an advantage in seven of the state’s eight districts. The new map carves up the 5th District, based in Kansas City and represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver since 2005, to make it easier to flip the seat for Republicans.Immediately after the map was approved, a PAC called People Not Politicians filed a referendum to place it on the ballot. The group has until Dec. 11 to turn in at least 106,000 signatures in order to force a vote on the plan. On Wednesday, it said it had already exceeded 200,000 signatures.The referendum campaign faces a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway claiming it is unconstitutional and numerous procedural hurdles enacted by the secretary of state’s office.But People Not Politicians has raised more than $3 million in just two months, mostly from out-of-state groups. And it is getting help from the Missouri AFL-CIO, which led the referendum campaign in 2018 that collected 300,000 signatures and repealed the state’s a right-to-work law.“We’re continuing to gather signatures because Missourians want their voices to be heard. We will not stop collecting or be deterred,” said Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians. “Every attack from politicians trying to silence us brings us more volunteers and more support.”Of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the Missouri ballot, voters have rejected actions by the General Assembly all but twice — including 1922, when voters overturned a congressional map passed by the legislature.

National Republicans gear up to fight referendum on Missouri congressional map

PHELPS COUNTY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announces criminal charges against Melvin J. Fincher, 39, of Rolla, MO. Fincher has pending charges in other counties which include Phelps, Dent, Polk, and Nodaway Counties.

On October 24, Fincher was arrested after an investigation conducted by the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control Rural Crimes Investigation Unit with the assistance of area law enforcement.

In July of 2024, the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was made aware of suspicious activity involving the sale of livestock and farm equipment in Phelps County, Missouri.

Texas authorities informed investigators in Missouri of a cattle theft investigation, involving 42 head of cattle from a livestock market in Texas. 

The theft occurred between August 10 and 11, 2024, and the total value of the cattle was $71,078.00.&nbsp; After further investigation, it was determined the cattle were received by Melvin Fincher, a resident of Phelps County, Missouri.

During the investigation, and while searching property associated with Fincher, USDA livestock tags were located in the livestock pens on the premises. Identification numbers indicated the tags were issued to the livestock market in Texas where the cattle were originally stolen. 

Additional evidence was collected connecting Fincher to the theft of cattle in Texas.

On December 2, 2024, Fincher was formally charged by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney with one count of Stealing Livestock/Wildlife - Prior Offense. Fincher later pled guilty to this charge.

On October 27, 2025, Fincher was sentenced to 10 years incarceration with the Missouri Department of Corrections. The sentence was suspended in execution of sentence, and Fincher is currently serving five years of supervised probation.

Fincher is also facing numerous charges in Dent, Polk, and Nodaway Counties for other related criminal offenses including identify theft, livestock theft, and farm equipment theft

&nbsp;The total value of damages involving these cases exceeds $219,000.00.

If you have any further information regarding these cases, please contact DDCC at 573-526-6122.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762393817899.png" alt="Fincher photo. Polk Co." />
 <figcaption>Fincher photo. Polk Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PHELPS COUNTY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announces criminal charges against Melvin J. Fincher, 39, of Rolla, MO. Fincher has pending charges in other counties which include Phelps, Dent, Polk, and Nodaway Counties.On October 24, Fincher was arrested after an investigation conducted by the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control Rural Crimes Investigation Unit with the assistance of area law enforcement.In July of 2024, the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was made aware of suspicious activity involving the sale of livestock and farm equipment in Phelps County, Missouri.Texas authorities informed investigators in Missouri of a cattle theft investigation, involving 42 head of cattle from a livestock market in Texas. The theft occurred between August 10 and 11, 2024, and the total value of the cattle was $71,078.00.&nbsp; After further investigation, it was determined the cattle were received by Melvin Fincher, a resident of Phelps County, Missouri.During the investigation, and while searching property associated with Fincher, USDA livestock tags were located in the livestock pens on the premises. Identification numbers indicated the tags were issued to the livestock market in Texas where the cattle were originally stolen. Additional evidence was collected connecting Fincher to the theft of cattle in Texas.On December 2, 2024, Fincher was formally charged by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney with one count of Stealing Livestock/Wildlife - Prior Offense. Fincher later pled guilty to this charge.On October 27, 2025, Fincher was sentenced to 10 years incarceration with the Missouri Department of Corrections. The sentence was suspended in execution of sentence, and Fincher is currently serving five years of supervised probation.Fincher is also facing numerous charges in Dent, Polk, and Nodaway Counties for other related criminal offenses including identify theft, livestock theft, and farm equipment theft&nbsp;The total value of damages involving these cases exceeds $219,000.00.If you have any further information regarding these cases, please contact DDCC at 573-526-6122.

Man admits to livestock theft, other rural crimes in Missouri

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect wanted in Buchanan County on drug allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before midnight on Tuesday night an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 1500 block South 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver of the vehicle, 43-year-old&nbsp; Thomas Nance, was taken into custody on a Buchanan County Missouri warrant for failure to appear in court. 

During the arrest he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the County Jail and is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;failure to appear in court, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762394126250.png" alt="Nance photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Nance photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect wanted in Buchanan County on drug allegations after a traffic stop.Just before midnight on Tuesday night an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 1500 block South 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver of the vehicle, 43-year-old&nbsp; Thomas Nance, was taken into custody on a Buchanan County Missouri warrant for failure to appear in court. During the arrest he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the County Jail and is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;failure to appear in court, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Suspect wanted in Buchanan Co. accused of meth possession

Independence and Hallsville school districts to continue four-day weeks with 62% and 75% voter approval

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

When the Independence School District announced it was switching to a four-day week during the 2023-24 school year, it drew questions from local families and statewide officials.

Parents wondered what kind of child care they would have on days without classroom instruction. And&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/08/four-day-school-week-faces-scrutiny-from-missouri-legislature-state-education-board/">lawmakers debated</a>&nbsp;whether the state needed to intervene.

Ultimately, Missouri’s General Assembly passed a law requiring a vote for non–rural school districts to authorize a four-day week.

On Tuesday, the Independence and Hallsville school districts became the first large districts to receive the approval of voters to continue with four-day weeks.

“I knew that the majority of our community supported it,” Hallsville Superintendent Tyler Walker told The Independent. “I was a little bit surprised to see how much support it was.”

In Hallsville, residents had two questions on the ballot related to the school district. One asked about the four-day week and the other was a bond measure previously passed in April&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/27/numerous-voter-approved-bonds-in-missouri-in-jeopardy-for-violating-public-notice-law/">but not confirmed by the State Auditor</a>.

The election drew 25% of registered voters,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.showmeboone.com/clerk/elections/results/unofficial.asp" target="_blank">according to the Boone County Clerk</a>, and 75% of those voted in favor of the four-day school week. The vote authorizes the schedule for the next 10 years, when then the district will have to hold another special election.

Walker didn’t think the margin would be that wide. Earlier surveys from the district’s 2022 adoption of the schedule put approval at around 60%.

He believes that the district’s growing success on standardized tests and other publicly available metrics have given families confidence that the four-day week isn’t such a bad thing.

“Our community has grown to appreciate the four day week more after experiencing it for a few years,” he said.

Todd Fuller, director of communications for the Missouri State Teachers Association, told The Independent that voters in districts who have already been operating in a four-day week like Independence and Hallsville have an idea of how it works for their students. The state law, passed in 2024, will require a vote prior to the schedule’s adoption for those who do not already adopt the abbreviated week.

“Anyone who’s a constituent of the district has had time to digest this process, and they’ve been able to decide over a two-year period whether it’s been beneficial or not beneficial for their kids,” Fuller said. “So if they are expressing that feeling with their vote, then we’re going to have a pretty good understanding of what they really want.”

The association doesn’t have an official stance on the four-day week. But Fuller said the teachers it represents have been pleased with the schedule.

Jorjana Pohlman, president of Independence’s branch of the Missouri National Education Association, told The Independent that the overall sentiment is positive from the district’s educators.

Mondays out of the classroom have become a good time for teachers to have doctor’s appointments, spend time with their families and plan for the week ahead, she said.

“In the beginning, it was fear of the unknown for families as well as teachers,” she said. “A lot of teachers had the attitude of, ‘Let’s try it.’ They, I think overall, felt it was a positive thing.”

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primecenter.org/education-reports-database/4dsw-case-study" target="_blank">study by Missouri State University researchers</a>&nbsp;looked at recent applicants to teaching positions in Independence, finding that the four-day week was a key part of the district’s recruitment.

In particular, 63% of applicants rated the four-day schedule as a top-three reason for applying, and 27% said it was their top priority.

The study also looked at the value of the four-day week for applicants, asking how much they would sacrifice in salary to work at a district with the schedule. On average, applicants were willing to sacrifice $2267 annually for the four-day week.

Walker said the schedule has also improved recruitment in Hallsville, with a dramatic uptick in veteran teachers applying to positions.

With teachers coming to Independence schools particularly for their schedule, some worried that returning to a five-day week would have large consequences for staffing. But Pohlman said a survey showed that the loss of educators is less than many would think.

“The educators, they care deeply about their students, and they want what’s best for students and for the community, whether it’s four day week or five day week,” she said. “They are still going to be committed.”

Almost&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primecenter.org/prime-blog/4dsw-summary" target="_blank">a third of Missouri districts have adopted a four-day week</a>, with around 91% of those districts in rural settings. Only districts in cities with at least 30,000 residents, or those located in Jackson, Clay, St. Louis, Jefferson and St. Charles counties, must call for a vote before moving to a four-day week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762369520602.png" alt=" On Tuesday, voters in two Missouri towns approved a four-day school week. Both districts had already been operating on the schedule but required voter approval to continue (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> On Tuesday, voters in two Missouri towns approved a four-day school week. Both districts had already been operating on the schedule but required voter approval to continue (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Independence and Hallsville school districts to continue four-day weeks with 62% and 75% voter approval</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>When the Independence School District announced it was switching to a four-day week during the 2023-24 school year, it drew questions from local families and statewide officials.Parents wondered what kind of child care they would have on days without classroom instruction. And&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/08/four-day-school-week-faces-scrutiny-from-missouri-legislature-state-education-board/">lawmakers debated</a>&nbsp;whether the state needed to intervene.Ultimately, Missouri’s General Assembly passed a law requiring a vote for non–rural school districts to authorize a four-day week.On Tuesday, the Independence and Hallsville school districts became the first large districts to receive the approval of voters to continue with four-day weeks.“I knew that the majority of our community supported it,” Hallsville Superintendent Tyler Walker told The Independent. “I was a little bit surprised to see how much support it was.”In Hallsville, residents had two questions on the ballot related to the school district. One asked about the four-day week and the other was a bond measure previously passed in April&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/27/numerous-voter-approved-bonds-in-missouri-in-jeopardy-for-violating-public-notice-law/">but not confirmed by the State Auditor</a>.The election drew 25% of registered voters,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.showmeboone.com/clerk/elections/results/unofficial.asp" target="_blank">according to the Boone County Clerk</a>, and 75% of those voted in favor of the four-day school week. The vote authorizes the schedule for the next 10 years, when then the district will have to hold another special election.Walker didn’t think the margin would be that wide. Earlier surveys from the district’s 2022 adoption of the schedule put approval at around 60%.He believes that the district’s growing success on standardized tests and other publicly available metrics have given families confidence that the four-day week isn’t such a bad thing.“Our community has grown to appreciate the four day week more after experiencing it for a few years,” he said.Todd Fuller, director of communications for the Missouri State Teachers Association, told The Independent that voters in districts who have already been operating in a four-day week like Independence and Hallsville have an idea of how it works for their students. The state law, passed in 2024, will require a vote prior to the schedule’s adoption for those who do not already adopt the abbreviated week.“Anyone who’s a constituent of the district has had time to digest this process, and they’ve been able to decide over a two-year period whether it’s been beneficial or not beneficial for their kids,” Fuller said. “So if they are expressing that feeling with their vote, then we’re going to have a pretty good understanding of what they really want.”The association doesn’t have an official stance on the four-day week. But Fuller said the teachers it represents have been pleased with the schedule.Jorjana Pohlman, president of Independence’s branch of the Missouri National Education Association, told The Independent that the overall sentiment is positive from the district’s educators.Mondays out of the classroom have become a good time for teachers to have doctor’s appointments, spend time with their families and plan for the week ahead, she said.“In the beginning, it was fear of the unknown for families as well as teachers,” she said. “A lot of teachers had the attitude of, ‘Let’s try it.’ They, I think overall, felt it was a positive thing.”A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primecenter.org/education-reports-database/4dsw-case-study" target="_blank">study by Missouri State University researchers</a>&nbsp;looked at recent applicants to teaching positions in Independence, finding that the four-day week was a key part of the district’s recruitment.In particular, 63% of applicants rated the four-day schedule as a top-three reason for applying, and 27% said it was their top priority.The study also looked at the value of the four-day week for applicants, asking how much they would sacrifice in salary to work at a district with the schedule. On average, applicants were willing to sacrifice $2267 annually for the four-day week.Walker said the schedule has also improved recruitment in Hallsville, with a dramatic uptick in veteran teachers applying to positions.With teachers coming to Independence schools particularly for their schedule, some worried that returning to a five-day week would have large consequences for staffing. But Pohlman said a survey showed that the loss of educators is less than many would think.“The educators, they care deeply about their students, and they want what’s best for students and for the community, whether it’s four day week or five day week,” she said. “They are still going to be committed.”Almost&nbsp;<a href="https://www.primecenter.org/prime-blog/4dsw-summary" target="_blank">a third of Missouri districts have adopted a four-day week</a>, with around 91% of those districts in rural settings. Only districts in cities with at least 30,000 residents, or those located in Jackson, Clay, St. Louis, Jefferson and St. Charles counties, must call for a vote before moving to a four-day week.

Missouri voters approve 4-day school week in two districts, showing rising support

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Tuesday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Chevy Equinox driven by a 32-year-old Leavenworth woman was northbound on Interstate 29 near the U.S. 36 exit in St. Joseph. The SUV traveled off the west side of the road, struck an exit sign and returned to the road. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle traveled off the east side of the road and came to rest in a ditch.

Buchanan County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Tuesday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Chevy Equinox driven by a 32-year-old Leavenworth woman was northbound on Interstate 29 near the U.S. 36 exit in St. Joseph. The SUV traveled off the west side of the road, struck an exit sign and returned to the road. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle traveled off the east side of the road and came to rest in a ditch.Buchanan County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Kansas woman injured after SUV strikes exit sign

CLINTON COUNTY —Two peopole were injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 GMC Sierra driven by a 33-year-old DeKalb, Illinois man was northbound on Interstate 35 four miles south of Cameron. The driver changed lanes to avoid workers on the shoulder. The rear of the pickup struck the front of a northbound 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by a 59-year-old Cameron woman.&nbsp;

Cameron ambulance transported the van driver and a 20-year-old passenger to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; The pickup driver was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —Two peopole were injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 GMC Sierra driven by a 33-year-old DeKalb, Illinois man was northbound on Interstate 35 four miles south of Cameron. The driver changed lanes to avoid workers on the shoulder. The rear of the pickup struck the front of a northbound 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by a 59-year-old Cameron woman.&nbsp;Cameron ambulance transported the van driver and a 20-year-old passenger to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; The pickup driver was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 Missouri women injured and pickup, van accident

Mosaic Medical
Center in Maryville will hold a groundbreaking of its new women’s health clinic
later this month.

Mosaic announced the
ceremony takes place on Tuesday, November 18th at 10 in the morning.
The future clinic space will be located in the administration hallway of the
hospital.

Community support,
including funds raised during the past two St. Francis Foundation Galas, will
be used to finance the clinic. Mosaic says the new clinic space “will serve as
a cornerstone for accessible, high-quality care tailored to the unique needs of
women in the region.”

Services offered
in the clinic will include preventive care, obstetrics, gynecology, and
wellness support. &nbsp;

“This
groundbreaking represents more than just the start of construction, it’s a
symbol of our commitment to the women of northwest Missouri,” Scott Koelliker
president of Mosaic Medical Center – Maryville said in a written statement
released by Mosaic. “Thanks to the generosity of our community and the vision
of Mosaic, we’re creating a space where women can receive the care they
deserve.”

Community members
are invited to attend the ceremonial turning of the soil. Light refreshments
will be served. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762283451458.jpeg" alt="Image provided by Mosaic Life Care" />
 <figcaption>Image provided by Mosaic Life Care</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINMosaic Medical
Center in Maryville will hold a groundbreaking of its new women’s health clinic
later this month.Mosaic announced the
ceremony takes place on Tuesday, November 18th at 10 in the morning.
The future clinic space will be located in the administration hallway of the
hospital.Community support,
including funds raised during the past two St. Francis Foundation Galas, will
be used to finance the clinic. Mosaic says the new clinic space “will serve as
a cornerstone for accessible, high-quality care tailored to the unique needs of
women in the region.”Services offered
in the clinic will include preventive care, obstetrics, gynecology, and
wellness support. &nbsp;“This
groundbreaking represents more than just the start of construction, it’s a
symbol of our commitment to the women of northwest Missouri,” Scott Koelliker
president of Mosaic Medical Center – Maryville said in a written statement
released by Mosaic. “Thanks to the generosity of our community and the vision
of Mosaic, we’re creating a space where women can receive the care they
deserve.”Community members
are invited to attend the ceremonial turning of the soil. Light refreshments
will be served.

Mosaic to host groundbreaking for new Maryville women's clinic

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Hyundai Sonata driven by a 43-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was northbound on MO 85 two miles south of Albany. The driver swerved to miss a deer. The car traveled off the east side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The car returned to the road, traveled off the west side of the road and struck a tree.

Grand River ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic in Albany. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases the names of accident victims.

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Gentry County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Hyundai Sonata driven by a 43-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was northbound on MO 85 two miles south of Albany. The driver swerved to miss a deer. The car traveled off the east side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The car returned to the road, traveled off the west side of the road and struck a tree.Grand River ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic in Albany. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases the names of accident victims.

Mo. driver swerved to miss a deer and car struck a tree

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan.— One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Benelli 302S driven by&nbsp; Lucas&nbsp;Coady, 17, Atchison, was northbound on Sherman Road four miles south of Atchison. The motorcycle veered off the roadway at a curve, traveled into the ditch and rolled to its side.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EMS transported Coady to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.&nbsp; He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan.— One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in Atchison County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Benelli 302S driven by&nbsp; Lucas&nbsp;Coady, 17, Atchison, was northbound on Sherman Road four miles south of Atchison. The motorcycle veered off the roadway at a curve, traveled into the ditch and rolled to its side.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported Coady to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.&nbsp; He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kan. teen hospitalized in St. Joe after motorcycle accident

Northern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves says the national Rails to Trails movement has broken
the promise made to landowners when the railroads first purchased the rights of
way to lay track.

Graves sponsors
legislation that would require property owners be compensated when adjoining
railroad rights of way are turned into trails. Graves says too few trails have
properly compensated the landowner and too many have failed to property
maintain the land.

“If they do put in
a trail and they do compensate landowners, then I believe that they also ought
to maintain that property and we have seen that become a very big problem, if
the property is not being properly maintained,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “And so, what this does is ensure that it is if it does become a trail.”

Graves sponsors
the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act. Rails to Trails allows the federal
government to hand over former railroad corridors to be converted into trails.

Graves says the
federal law runs roughshod over the original agreements between railroads and
landowners, which promised the land would revert back to the property owner if
the railway is abandoned.

“I think if the
land does not revert back to the landowner or the family, whatever the case may
be, then they should be compensated for it,” Graves says. “That’s the bottom
line.”

Another provision
in Graves’ legislation would require trails to be maintained as they had been
by the railroads. Graves says he has heard complaints from landowners about
weeds and trash along the trails.

Graves says it
doesn’t matter if the legislation would hamper the Rails to Trails movement.

“There’s nothing
that is more frustrating than having a farm that a railroad went through and
you basically cut it in half and then have the railroad go out and you can’t
get that land back when your agreement stated that it was to revert back to you,”
according to Graves. “That is a very frustrating component of this and I hope
it hampers it.”

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762194428507.jpeg" alt="Katy Trail State Park/ Missouri State Parks photo" />
 <figcaption>Katy Trail State Park/ Missouri State Parks photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINNorthern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves says the national Rails to Trails movement has broken
the promise made to landowners when the railroads first purchased the rights of
way to lay track.Graves sponsors
legislation that would require property owners be compensated when adjoining
railroad rights of way are turned into trails. Graves says too few trails have
properly compensated the landowner and too many have failed to property
maintain the land.“If they do put in
a trail and they do compensate landowners, then I believe that they also ought
to maintain that property and we have seen that become a very big problem, if
the property is not being properly maintained,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “And so, what this does is ensure that it is if it does become a trail.”Graves sponsors
the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act. Rails to Trails allows the federal
government to hand over former railroad corridors to be converted into trails.Graves says the
federal law runs roughshod over the original agreements between railroads and
landowners, which promised the land would revert back to the property owner if
the railway is abandoned.“I think if the
land does not revert back to the landowner or the family, whatever the case may
be, then they should be compensated for it,” Graves says. “That’s the bottom
line.”Another provision
in Graves’ legislation would require trails to be maintained as they had been
by the railroads. Graves says he has heard complaints from landowners about
weeds and trash along the trails.Graves says it
doesn’t matter if the legislation would hamper the Rails to Trails movement.“There’s nothing
that is more frustrating than having a farm that a railroad went through and
you basically cut it in half and then have the railroad go out and you can’t
get that land back when your agreement stated that it was to revert back to you,”
according to Graves. “That is a very frustrating component of this and I hope
it hampers it.”You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Graves wants landowners protected in Rails to Trails movement

Missouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe has appointed Dr. Rolfe McCoy, a dentist from Chillicothe, to the
Missouri Dental Board.

McCoy is a partner
at McCoy Samples Mattingly Dental Clinic. McCoy also serves as the chairman and
a trainer of the Missouri Dental Association's Expanded Function Dental
Assistant program and teaches for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services (DHSS) Office of Dental Health pilot program in long-term care facilities.

McCoy serves on
the Chillicothe Arts Council, the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, the
Chillicothe Board of Public Works, and is a member of the Chillicothe Rotary
Club.

McCoy earned his
Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree
from Washington University in St. Louis.

By BRENT MARTINMissouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe has appointed Dr. Rolfe McCoy, a dentist from Chillicothe, to the
Missouri Dental Board.McCoy is a partner
at McCoy Samples Mattingly Dental Clinic. McCoy also serves as the chairman and
a trainer of the Missouri Dental Association's Expanded Function Dental
Assistant program and teaches for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services (DHSS) Office of Dental Health pilot program in long-term care facilities.McCoy serves on
the Chillicothe Arts Council, the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, the
Chillicothe Board of Public Works, and is a member of the Chillicothe Rotary
Club.McCoy earned his
Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree
from Washington University in St. Louis.

Gov. Kehoe appoints Chillicothe dentist to Missouri Dental Board

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacobtukker/">Jacob Tukker</a>

On Dec. 1, Missourians will officially be able to start placing sports bets.

As the rollout has progressed, a number of sportsbooks have already been jockeying for positioning in the market and will continue to do so up to and past the launch date.

That means prospective gamblers will be able to choose between a variety of sportsbooks that offer different experiences and promotions. Currently, there are nine that have received temporary licenses to offer mobile betting:

Customers will be able to start signing up with different sportsbooks beginning Nov. 17, which is also the date the books can start hooking them up with preregistration promotions.

Despite comments from Missouri Gaming Commission chair Jan Zimmerman, Missourians living anywhere in the state can sign up for and bet with any of the nine books.

Here are some common questions you might have when choosing a sportsbook and starting the sports gambling process. To begin, we’ll discuss how we got to this point and then some common numbers and terms you’ll see when placing your first bets.

Since a law banning sports gambling in states other than Nevada was struck down in 2018, states slowly began creating policies to legalize it. Missouri was late to the party, becoming the 41st state to legalize it when Amendment 2 was passed in November 2024.

When Kansas passed a bill allowing sports gambling in 2022, it became visibly clear on what market Missouri was missing out. Since then, drivers from Missouri can be seen stopping on off ramps after crossing over the border to place bets.

Pro sports franchises were also growing impatient because they were missing out on an extra revenue stream and a valuable way to target younger demographics. So, a few sports teams, including the Cardinals, with the help of national gambling companies, were able to rally to get the measure onto the November ballot.

After a close vote, it passed. What resulted was a turbulent process of figuring out when the betting would actually begin.

At first, the Missouri Gaming Commission hoped to set up emergency rules to make sports gambling fully functional by March 4, in time for Missourians to bet on March Madness. However, the attempt was nixed by Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who argued there wasn’t an emergency requiring hastened legalization.

That’s where we stand today. A deliberate application process has led to nine sportsbooks and various casinos gearing up for the launch … and bettors patiently waiting to bet on their favorite players and teams.

What do all of these different types of bets mean?

The most common bets to place are moneyline bets, spread bets and over/under bets.

Moneyline bets are straightforward: You are betting on which team or player will win a game or event.

When you place a moneyline bet, you will see odds that either start with a plus or minus. For example, if the Chiefs are playing the Broncos and the Chiefs are -150, that means they are favorites. In this case, a $150 bet will win you $100 (you get the original $150 back). On the other side of the bet, the Broncos would be underdogs, let’s say at +125, which means that a bet of $100 would win you $125 (plus the original bet).

For bigger or smaller wagers, payouts scale according to the odds. Going back to the Chiefs’ -150 odds, a $15 bet would win $10 and a $450 bet would win $300.

Spread bets operate a little differently. They use a point margin, where the favorite must win by more than the listed number while the underdog can lose by that many points and still cover. For example, if the Chiefs are -3.5 (- implies the favorite) versus the Broncos, KC must win by 4 or more to cash and Denver covers if it loses by 3 points or fewer or if it wins.

Usually, both sides of spread bets feature similar odds, which are normally close to -110 (again, meaning a $110 wager would win $100).

Finally, over/under bets are gambles on whether or not the combined score of a game will be higher or lower than a predetermined amount. In the Chiefs-Broncos contest, let’s say the over/under line is 50.5, and the final score is 30-27. The total would then be 57 (30+27), and the over would win. If the total ends up lower than 50.5, under bettors would rejoice.

Similar to spread bets, the odds on both over and under bets are generally similar and centered around -110.

You may also come across the term “parlay.” This is just a group of bets combined into one that must all win in order for the wager to pay out.

What are the differences between all of these sportsbooks?

Not all of the nine mobile sportsbooks are created equal. Some focus on catering to customers who are likely to place larger wagers, others feature high-value promotions designed to attract a huge user base, and a handful more are known for a fantasy-sports-driven interface.

• Circa Sports primarily markets itself as a sportsbook for the big guns and high riders. It’s known for its tight moneyline spreads and allowing experienced bettors, or “sharps,” to place large wagers.

• DraftKings and FanDuel, for most intents and purposes, are identical. These two books are by far the biggest players in the nationwide sports betting market, and both offer large promotions in hopes of getting new users to sign up. In total, these two behemoths make up almost 80% of the market, according to Reuters.

• Both books also offer tons of bet types, frequent promotions such as odds boosts and market themselves toward everyday bettors.

• Caesars and Fanatics operate on more of a loyalty platform than others. Sports Illustrated publishes sportsbook reviews and says Caesars has the best rewards program, which includes credits that can be redeemed for stays at some of its hotels. Fanatics, similarly, offers users digital FanCash with every bet, which can be turned into tickets, bonus bets and more.

• Underdog started solely as a daily fantasy sports site but has moved into the traditional sports gambling world as well. It is known for its fantasy draft games like best ball and parlay-style pick ’em.

The rest of the bunch are similar. BetMGM and Bet365 are especially known for the amount of sports that are available to bet on, so if you’re looking for a book to place a wager on Russian pingpong, those might be your best bets.

Good news! Along with the nine mobile licenses that have been approved, the Missouri Gaming Commission also granted eight brick-and-mortar casinos retail licenses to operate onsite sportsbooks.

• Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City — Partnered with Fanatics Sportsbook.

• Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa St. Charles — Fanatics Sportsbook.

• Harrah’s Kansas City — Caesars Sportsbook.

• Horseshoe St. Louis — Caesars Sportsbook.

• Hollywood Casino &amp; Hotel in St. Louis — ESPN BET.

• River City Casino &amp; Hotel in St. Louis — ESPN BET.

• Argosy Casino &amp; Hotel in Kansas City — ESPN BET.

• Century Casino &amp; Hotel in Cape Girardeau — BetMGM.

These casinos will open sportsbooks Dec. 1, the same time mobile books will be allowed to begin collecting bets.

What promotions are available, and are there any restrictions?While companies aren’t allowed to directly offer promotions to draw in Missouri customers until Nov. 17, there are sites that offer projections into what those may be when Nov. 17 comes around. Legal Sports Report is one of them, and here are the offers it thinks customers will be able to grab:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707620687273.png" alt="Photo Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacobtukker/">Jacob Tukker</a>On Dec. 1, Missourians will officially be able to start placing sports bets.As the rollout has progressed, a number of sportsbooks have already been jockeying for positioning in the market and will continue to do so up to and past the launch date.That means prospective gamblers will be able to choose between a variety of sportsbooks that offer different experiences and promotions. Currently, there are nine that have received temporary licenses to offer mobile betting:• Circa Sports.• DraftKings.• FanDuel.• ESPN BET.• BetMGM.• Bet365.• Caesars Sportsbook.• Fanatics.• Underdog.Customers will be able to start signing up with different sportsbooks beginning Nov. 17, which is also the date the books can start hooking them up with preregistration promotions.Despite comments from Missouri Gaming Commission chair Jan Zimmerman, Missourians living anywhere in the state can sign up for and bet with any of the nine books.Here are some common questions you might have when choosing a sportsbook and starting the sports gambling process. To begin, we’ll discuss how we got to this point and then some common numbers and terms you’ll see when placing your first bets.<h2>How did we get here?</h2>Since a law banning sports gambling in states other than Nevada was struck down in 2018, states slowly began creating policies to legalize it. Missouri was late to the party, becoming the 41st state to legalize it when Amendment 2 was passed in November 2024.When Kansas passed a bill allowing sports gambling in 2022, it became visibly clear on what market Missouri was missing out. Since then, drivers from Missouri can be seen stopping on off ramps after crossing over the border to place bets.Pro sports franchises were also growing impatient because they were missing out on an extra revenue stream and a valuable way to target younger demographics. So, a few sports teams, including the Cardinals, with the help of national gambling companies, were able to rally to get the measure onto the November ballot.After a close vote, it passed. What resulted was a turbulent process of figuring out when the betting would actually begin.At first, the Missouri Gaming Commission hoped to set up emergency rules to make sports gambling fully functional by March 4, in time for Missourians to bet on March Madness. However, the attempt was nixed by Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who argued there wasn’t an emergency requiring hastened legalization.That’s where we stand today. A deliberate application process has led to nine sportsbooks and various casinos gearing up for the launch … and bettors patiently waiting to bet on their favorite players and teams.<h2>What do all of these different types of bets mean?</h2>The most common bets to place are moneyline bets, spread bets and over/under bets.Moneyline bets are straightforward: You are betting on which team or player will win a game or event.When you place a moneyline bet, you will see odds that either start with a plus or minus. For example, if the Chiefs are playing the Broncos and the Chiefs are -150, that means they are favorites. In this case, a $150 bet will win you $100 (you get the original $150 back). On the other side of the bet, the Broncos would be underdogs, let’s say at +125, which means that a bet of $100 would win you $125 (plus the original bet).For bigger or smaller wagers, payouts scale according to the odds. Going back to the Chiefs’ -150 odds, a $15 bet would win $10 and a $450 bet would win $300.Spread bets operate a little differently. They use a point margin, where the favorite must win by more than the listed number while the underdog can lose by that many points and still cover. For example, if the Chiefs are -3.5 (- implies the favorite) versus the Broncos, KC must win by 4 or more to cash and Denver covers if it loses by 3 points or fewer or if it wins.Usually, both sides of spread bets feature similar odds, which are normally close to -110 (again, meaning a $110 wager would win $100).Finally, over/under bets are gambles on whether or not the combined score of a game will be higher or lower than a predetermined amount. In the Chiefs-Broncos contest, let’s say the over/under line is 50.5, and the final score is 30-27. The total would then be 57 (30+27), and the over would win. If the total ends up lower than 50.5, under bettors would rejoice.Similar to spread bets, the odds on both over and under bets are generally similar and centered around -110.You may also come across the term “parlay.” This is just a group of bets combined into one that must all win in order for the wager to pay out.<h2>What are the differences between all of these sportsbooks?</h2>Not all of the nine mobile sportsbooks are created equal. Some focus on catering to customers who are likely to place larger wagers, others feature high-value promotions designed to attract a huge user base, and a handful more are known for a fantasy-sports-driven interface.• Circa Sports primarily markets itself as a sportsbook for the big guns and high riders. It’s known for its tight moneyline spreads and allowing experienced bettors, or “sharps,” to place large wagers.• DraftKings and FanDuel, for most intents and purposes, are identical. These two books are by far the biggest players in the nationwide sports betting market, and both offer large promotions in hopes of getting new users to sign up. In total, these two behemoths make up almost 80% of the market, according to Reuters.• Both books also offer tons of bet types, frequent promotions such as odds boosts and market themselves toward everyday bettors.• Caesars and Fanatics operate on more of a loyalty platform than others. Sports Illustrated publishes sportsbook reviews and says Caesars has the best rewards program, which includes credits that can be redeemed for stays at some of its hotels. Fanatics, similarly, offers users digital FanCash with every bet, which can be turned into tickets, bonus bets and more.• Underdog started solely as a daily fantasy sports site but has moved into the traditional sports gambling world as well. It is known for its fantasy draft games like best ball and parlay-style pick ’em.The rest of the bunch are similar. BetMGM and Bet365 are especially known for the amount of sports that are available to bet on, so if you’re looking for a book to place a wager on Russian pingpong, those might be your best bets.<h2>What if I want to sports-bet in person?</h2>Good news! Along with the nine mobile licenses that have been approved, the Missouri Gaming Commission also granted eight brick-and-mortar casinos retail licenses to operate onsite sportsbooks.Those are:• Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City — Partnered with Fanatics Sportsbook.• Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa St. Charles — Fanatics Sportsbook.• Harrah’s Kansas City — Caesars Sportsbook.• Horseshoe St. Louis — Caesars Sportsbook.• Hollywood Casino &amp; Hotel in St. Louis — ESPN BET.• River City Casino &amp; Hotel in St. Louis — ESPN BET.• Argosy Casino &amp; Hotel in Kansas City — ESPN BET.• Century Casino &amp; Hotel in Cape Girardeau — BetMGM.These casinos will open sportsbooks Dec. 1, the same time mobile books will be allowed to begin collecting bets.What promotions are available, and are there any restrictions?While companies aren’t allowed to directly offer promotions to draw in Missouri customers until Nov. 17, there are sites that offer projections into what those may be when Nov. 17 comes around. Legal Sports Report is one of them, and here are the offers it thinks customers will be able to grab:• DraftKings and FanDuel: Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets on launch.• Caesars: Bet $1, Double Your Money 20x.• BetMGM: Up To $1,500 First-Bet Bonus.• Fanatics: Up To $2,000 in No-Sweat Bets OR Choose Your Offer.• Bet365: Bet $5 To Get $200 OR Up to $1,000 First Bet Safety Net.• BetRivers (not yet licensed in Missouri): Second-Chance Bet Up To $500.Since Circa Sports is geared toward those “sharp” bettors, it will likely not offer significant promotions.What’s important to realize about all these deals is how the refunds or bonus bets are credited. They come as site credit that must be wagered again before you can withdraw. For example, with DraftKings’ offer, you’d need to place (and win) another bet with the $300 credit to cash out.The only notable restriction is that bettors can’t place player-specific prop bets on college games involving Missouri schools. Betting on Missouri-specific team outcomes is still legal. Also, you cannot bet on high school games.<h2>Where can I get problem gambling help?</h2>There are resources available if you are struggling with problems related to gambling. Missouri’s problem gambling helpline is 888-BETS-OFF, or 888-238-7633, and is open 24/7.The Missouri Department of Mental Health also provides a list of certified gambling treatment counselors for those struggling or worried about someone who is. However, experts worry these counselors might not be aptly trained to deal with the fast-acting consequences that come from having access to a mobile casino at all times.Amendment 2 also specified that per year, the greater of $5 million or up to 10% of sports betting tax revenues will go toward Missouri’s compulsive gambling fund, which intends to provide resources for troubled gamblers.This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/sports/other_sports/missouri-sports-betting-is-a-month-away-heres-what-you-need-to-know/article_48547610-7a23-4ed5-964a-b904bbb7c96f.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

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