A multi-structure fire in Cameron is under investigation after several buildings, including apartments, were destroyed.

The fire occurred on West Third Street next to McKorckles around 2 p.m. on February 3. Firefighters from seven agencies, including St. Joseph Rescue 1, along with Quint 6 and 25, battled the blaze until after 8:30 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770229320139.png" alt="Photos St. Joseph Fire Department.&nbsp;Saint Joseph firefighters from Rescue 1, Quint 6, and 25 were dispatched to provide mutual aid to the Cameron Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos St. Joseph Fire Department.&nbsp;Saint Joseph firefighters from Rescue 1, Quint 6, and 25 were dispatched to provide mutual aid to the Cameron Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHA multi-structure fire in Cameron is under investigation after several buildings, including apartments, were destroyed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770229262888.png" alt="Photo St. Joseph Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo St. Joseph Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>The fire occurred on West Third Street next to McKorckles around 2 p.m. on February 3. Firefighters from seven agencies, including St. Joseph Rescue 1, along with Quint 6 and 25, battled the blaze until after 8:30 p.m.No injuries were reported.

Multi-structure fire under investigation in Cameron

(Radio Iowa) - A spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol says now is the time to put together a game plan if you are going to attending or hosting a party this Super Bowl weekend. 

Trooper Paul Gardner says there's one key thing any party plan needs -- to have a sober designated driver on hand. Sergeant Gardner says the State Patrol's game plan is to be out on the roadways looking for four things, seat belt use, impaired driving, distracted driving, and excessive speed. He say impaired driving will be the main focus due to the higher presence of alcoholic beverages that will be served at many of the Super Bowl parties. He says planning ahead so you or your friends are not leaving the party impaired is a winning strategy for everyone.

(Radio Iowa) - A spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol says now is the time to put together a game plan if you are going to attending or hosting a party this Super Bowl weekend. Trooper Paul Gardner says there's one key thing any party plan needs -- to have a sober designated driver on hand. Sergeant Gardner says the State Patrol's game plan is to be out on the roadways looking for four things, seat belt use, impaired driving, distracted driving, and excessive speed. He say impaired driving will be the main focus due to the higher presence of alcoholic beverages that will be served at many of the Super Bowl parties. He says planning ahead so you or your friends are not leaving the party impaired is a winning strategy for everyone.

Iowa State Patrol to focus on drunk driving during Super Bowl weekend

The latest data show enrollment fell about 12% in Missouri and 3.5% in Kansas for 2026. But experts say that doesn’t tell the full story

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/megcunningham/">Meg Cunningham</a>

As small-business owners, Sonya Andrews and her husband are used to uncertainty.

Sonya runs a business offering graphic and web design services, while her husband is a commercial photographer. They also own a studio in Kansas City’s West Bottoms and have one employee who works remotely from Florida.

Every month is different for them when it comes to business. But this year, they’re feeling more pressure, thanks to the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits available for Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Andrews and her husband also have a daughter with autism and need higher levels of coverage. Previously, they carried Aetna insurance through the marketplace, but Aetna is no longer an option for them. For 2026, as their daughter gets older and with enhanced subsidies expiring, they made the tough decision to downgrade their&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/11/10/aca-premiums-set-to-soar-out-of-reach-for-many-kansas-citians/" target="_blank">ACA coverage</a>&nbsp;rather than pay a much higher premium.

But arriving at that decision wasn’t easy. Sonya spent weeks researching and comparing plans with marketplace navigators and her husband. They’re planning to closely monitor their income to make sure they don’t make too much and lose their subsidies entirely, adding more pressure to the realities of owning a small business.

“I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to make this decision,” Andrews said. “You’re making choices like, ‘Well, we’re in our mid-40s. Our daughter is young and has already had most of the expensive things done. Can we roll the dice for a few years?’”

But, unlike Andrews, tens of thousands of Missourians have opted out of the Affordable Care Act marketplace altogether after the enhanced subsidies expired.

Enhanced subsidies came into Obamacare in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, in an effort to ease the cost of the Affordable Care Act for Americans. The enhanced subsidies were extended again through the end of 2025, but were allowed to expire ahead of open enrollment in 2026.

Without the enhanced subsidies, which offered tax credits to Americans enrolled in Obamacare, people were told they could expect an average 114% increase in their premium costs for 2026.

For someone with a household income of $55,000 (about 351% of the federal poverty line), premium costs shot up nearly $1,500 annually heading into 2026, KFF estimates.

Experts like the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that hundreds of thousands of Americans would move away from Obamacare in 2026 as a result.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/quick-take/aca-signups-are-down-but-still-an-incomplete-picture/" target="_blank">Nationwide</a>, enrollment so far has dropped by about 1.2 million people.

In Missouri, nearly 51,000 people dropped off the Affordable Care Act rolls from January 2025 through the end of the 2026 open enrollment period, the latest data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show. Nearly 366,000 people enrolled this year, compared to 417,000 enrollees in January 2025.

Kansas had a smaller drop. Nearly 193,000 people enrolled, compared to about 200,000 who were enrolled in January of last year, the data show.

More people are enrolled in both states than in 2024, data shows.

Still, in Missouri, 50,000 people potentially without insurance is a large number when the state’s uninsured population is already around 457,000, said Timothy McBride, a health care economist and professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

“That’s over a 10% increase in that number,” McBride said.

Plus, McBride said, the numbers don’t reflect those who may have downgraded their plans to lower premiums, like the Andrews family did, or those who may disenroll or let their plans lapse by not paying their now-higher premiums.

Data&nbsp;<a href="https://chir.georgetown.edu/clues-in-state-data-suggest-declines-in-early-marketplace-enrollment-data-may-be-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/" target="_blank">compiled</a>&nbsp;by Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms found that several state-based marketplaces were reporting that Americans were canceling their plans at higher rates than in the past. In Idaho and Pennsylvania, disenrollments have so far quadrupled compared to last year, with more people citing affordability concerns.

In December, Pennsylvania’s state-based marketplace reported that only 77% of enrollees had paid their initial premium for the year, compared to 88% the year before.

Without data from the federal government on what plans people chose, it’s too early to say what the impact of more bronze than silver plans will be, McBride said.

But people are generally choosing to trade lower premiums for higher deductibles, based on what Kevin Wehner, a marketplace navigator at Missouri Connections for Health, saw throughout the open enrollment period.

“The silver plan premiums were just out of reach for a lot of people,” Wehner said. “They ended up switching to bronze or gold plans.”

Others opted for the higher monthly premiums — up to&nbsp; $1,000 in some cases — or chose to become part of a health-sharing community, where a group of people all pay into a shared pot to split the cost of care.

It’s a consideration Craig Heimericks and his husband have had for years, amid rising health care costs. The pair co-own rental properties around Rolla, Missouri, and the variable costs of the business constantly keep them on their toes, especially when it comes to health insurance.

“My husband and I had a plan on the exchange last year. It was great coverage, but was getting more and more expensive every year, to the point where we had been discussing ways to drop coverage and self insure,” Heimericks said in an email.

“But as a business owner, the risk is just too high that one big medical event would bankrupt everything we’ve worked for the last 20 years. Honestly, sometimes it feels like we’re being held hostage by the health care industry as a whole, and there doesn’t seem to be a way out,” he said.

Heimericks ended up downgrading his plan for 2026, with deductibles just under $5,000 per person and their maximum out-of-pocket costs capped at $20,300. Still, Heimericks and his husband are planning on over $1,655 a month in premiums, and they don’t yet have a grasp on what the cost of their prescriptions will be under their new plan.

In 2025, they paid about $1,630 a month, but had lower deductibles and caps on out-of-pocket costs.

“The big difference was people who would normally qualify for the cost-sharing reduction would enroll in the silver plan in previous years,” Wehner said. “Hardly anyone did that this year.”

So far, California’s state-based marketplace is seeing more people enroll in bronze plans, at 37% in 2026 compared to 23% in 2025. Other states like Maine, New Jersey and Rhode Island are reporting a higher share of customers switching to bronze plans for 2026, the Georgetown data shows.

What the data doesn’t show, McBride said, was the higher deductible cost that those in Missouri and Kansas will take on.

People may have a costly health event and not expect to have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs before meeting their deductible, McBride said, which ultimately can pass the cost onto other health care customers.

“One of the things we saw early on, because the premiums were so low for bronze plans … younger people, especially healthy people, would pick that plan and have a $7,000 or $8,000 deductible,” McBride said. “They’d get bad luck … and then they’d show up to the hospital and get a bill for $8,000 and they’d be like, ‘Wait a minute, I thought I had Obamacare.’”

Ultimately, many aren’t prepared to take on that higher cost and end up unable to pay their bills, McBride said, and that is then passed onto the consumer.

“The hospital or health system can try to get the money from them but usually can only get a fraction of it,” McBride said. “Then the hospital just has to bury that cost, or shift it to the rest of us. It has a short or long-term effect on someone’s health status, and it also ends up rippling to all the rest of us.”

This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/02/02/affordable-care-act-enrollment-missouri-kansas-2026-enhanced-subsidies/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770204169677.png" alt=" Tens of thousands of Missourians and Kansans opted out out of the Affordable Care Act marketplace altogether after the enhanced subsidies expired (Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption> Tens of thousands of Missourians and Kansans opted out out of the Affordable Care Act marketplace altogether after the enhanced subsidies expired (Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The latest data show enrollment fell about 12% in Missouri and 3.5% in Kansas for 2026. But experts say that doesn’t tell the full story</h2>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/megcunningham/">Meg Cunningham</a>As small-business owners, Sonya Andrews and her husband are used to uncertainty.Sonya runs a business offering graphic and web design services, while her husband is a commercial photographer. They also own a studio in Kansas City’s West Bottoms and have one employee who works remotely from Florida.Every month is different for them when it comes to business. But this year, they’re feeling more pressure, thanks to the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits available for Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.Andrews and her husband also have a daughter with autism and need higher levels of coverage. Previously, they carried Aetna insurance through the marketplace, but Aetna is no longer an option for them. For 2026, as their daughter gets older and with enhanced subsidies expiring, they made the tough decision to downgrade their&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/11/10/aca-premiums-set-to-soar-out-of-reach-for-many-kansas-citians/" target="_blank">ACA coverage</a>&nbsp;rather than pay a much higher premium.But arriving at that decision wasn’t easy. Sonya spent weeks researching and comparing plans with marketplace navigators and her husband. They’re planning to closely monitor their income to make sure they don’t make too much and lose their subsidies entirely, adding more pressure to the realities of owning a small business.“I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to make this decision,” Andrews said. “You’re making choices like, ‘Well, we’re in our mid-40s. Our daughter is young and has already had most of the expensive things done. Can we roll the dice for a few years?’”But, unlike Andrews, tens of thousands of Missourians have opted out of the Affordable Care Act marketplace altogether after the enhanced subsidies expired.<h2>Significant drops in enrollment&nbsp;</h2>Enhanced subsidies came into Obamacare in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, in an effort to ease the cost of the Affordable Care Act for Americans. The enhanced subsidies were extended again through the end of 2025, but were allowed to expire ahead of open enrollment in 2026.Without the enhanced subsidies, which offered tax credits to Americans enrolled in Obamacare, people were told they could expect an average 114% increase in their premium costs for 2026.For someone with a household income of $55,000 (about 351% of the federal poverty line), premium costs shot up nearly $1,500 annually heading into 2026, KFF estimates.Experts like the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that hundreds of thousands of Americans would move away from Obamacare in 2026 as a result.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/quick-take/aca-signups-are-down-but-still-an-incomplete-picture/" target="_blank">Nationwide</a>, enrollment so far has dropped by about 1.2 million people.In Missouri, nearly 51,000 people dropped off the Affordable Care Act rolls from January 2025 through the end of the 2026 open enrollment period, the latest data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show. Nearly 366,000 people enrolled this year, compared to 417,000 enrollees in January 2025.Kansas had a smaller drop. Nearly 193,000 people enrolled, compared to about 200,000 who were enrolled in January of last year, the data show.More people are enrolled in both states than in 2024, data shows.Still, in Missouri, 50,000 people potentially without insurance is a large number when the state’s uninsured population is already around 457,000, said Timothy McBride, a health care economist and professor at Washington University in St. Louis.“That’s over a 10% increase in that number,” McBride said.Plus, McBride said, the numbers don’t reflect those who may have downgraded their plans to lower premiums, like the Andrews family did, or those who may disenroll or let their plans lapse by not paying their now-higher premiums.Data&nbsp;<a href="https://chir.georgetown.edu/clues-in-state-data-suggest-declines-in-early-marketplace-enrollment-data-may-be-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/" target="_blank">compiled</a>&nbsp;by Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms found that several state-based marketplaces were reporting that Americans were canceling their plans at higher rates than in the past. In Idaho and Pennsylvania, disenrollments have so far quadrupled compared to last year, with more people citing affordability concerns.In December, Pennsylvania’s state-based marketplace reported that only 77% of enrollees had paid their initial premium for the year, compared to 88% the year before.<h2>The impact of lower-coverage plans</h2>Without data from the federal government on what plans people chose, it’s too early to say what the impact of more bronze than silver plans will be, McBride said.But people are generally choosing to trade lower premiums for higher deductibles, based on what Kevin Wehner, a marketplace navigator at Missouri Connections for Health, saw throughout the open enrollment period.“The silver plan premiums were just out of reach for a lot of people,” Wehner said. “They ended up switching to bronze or gold plans.”Others opted for the higher monthly premiums — up to&nbsp; $1,000 in some cases — or chose to become part of a health-sharing community, where a group of people all pay into a shared pot to split the cost of care.It’s a consideration Craig Heimericks and his husband have had for years, amid rising health care costs. The pair co-own rental properties around Rolla, Missouri, and the variable costs of the business constantly keep them on their toes, especially when it comes to health insurance.“My husband and I had a plan on the exchange last year. It was great coverage, but was getting more and more expensive every year, to the point where we had been discussing ways to drop coverage and self insure,” Heimericks said in an email.“But as a business owner, the risk is just too high that one big medical event would bankrupt everything we’ve worked for the last 20 years. Honestly, sometimes it feels like we’re being held hostage by the health care industry as a whole, and there doesn’t seem to be a way out,” he said.Heimericks ended up downgrading his plan for 2026, with deductibles just under $5,000 per person and their maximum out-of-pocket costs capped at $20,300. Still, Heimericks and his husband are planning on over $1,655 a month in premiums, and they don’t yet have a grasp on what the cost of their prescriptions will be under their new plan.In 2025, they paid about $1,630 a month, but had lower deductibles and caps on out-of-pocket costs.“The big difference was people who would normally qualify for the cost-sharing reduction would enroll in the silver plan in previous years,” Wehner said. “Hardly anyone did that this year.”So far, California’s state-based marketplace is seeing more people enroll in bronze plans, at 37% in 2026 compared to 23% in 2025. Other states like Maine, New Jersey and Rhode Island are reporting a higher share of customers switching to bronze plans for 2026, the Georgetown data shows.What the data doesn’t show, McBride said, was the higher deductible cost that those in Missouri and Kansas will take on.People may have a costly health event and not expect to have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs before meeting their deductible, McBride said, which ultimately can pass the cost onto other health care customers.“One of the things we saw early on, because the premiums were so low for bronze plans … younger people, especially healthy people, would pick that plan and have a $7,000 or $8,000 deductible,” McBride said. “They’d get bad luck … and then they’d show up to the hospital and get a bill for $8,000 and they’d be like, ‘Wait a minute, I thought I had Obamacare.’”Ultimately, many aren’t prepared to take on that higher cost and end up unable to pay their bills, McBride said, and that is then passed onto the consumer.“The hospital or health system can try to get the money from them but usually can only get a fraction of it,” McBride said. “Then the hospital just has to bury that cost, or shift it to the rest of us. It has a short or long-term effect on someone’s health status, and it also ends up rippling to all the rest of us.”This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/02/02/affordable-care-act-enrollment-missouri-kansas-2026-enhanced-subsidies/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

As ACA subsidies expire, thousands of Missourians drop coverage or downgrade plans

(Radio Iowa) - The temporary paper licenses on newly-purchased vehicles in Iowa are now digitized. 

The cards hang inside the back window of a vehicle, indicating the vehicle's new owner has submitted the paperwork to the Iowa D-O-T to register the vehicle as their own. As of January 1st, auto dealers have been providing cards that can be scanned by law enforcement officers. Each card has an embedded number from the Iowa D-O-T, so the driver can confirm they own the vehicle. 

The general manager of a dealership in Sioux Center says it's a relief to customers who've been worried about getting pulled over in another state and being unable to prove they bought the vehicle. Iowa D-O-T officials say the updated system makes it easier to verify legitimate vehicle registrations.

(Radio Iowa) - The temporary paper licenses on newly-purchased vehicles in Iowa are now digitized. The cards hang inside the back window of a vehicle, indicating the vehicle's new owner has submitted the paperwork to the Iowa D-O-T to register the vehicle as their own. As of January 1st, auto dealers have been providing cards that can be scanned by law enforcement officers. Each card has an embedded number from the Iowa D-O-T, so the driver can confirm they own the vehicle. The general manager of a dealership in Sioux Center says it's a relief to customers who've been worried about getting pulled over in another state and being unable to prove they bought the vehicle. Iowa D-O-T officials say the updated system makes it easier to verify legitimate vehicle registrations.

Verification code added to temporary tags on newly-purchased vehicles in Iowa

North Central Missouri College (NCMC) marked a nostalgic milestone in its 100-year history on Monday, February 2, as it welcomed back its beloved mascot, Tessie, for a special Groundhog Day celebration. 

Held at noon in front of the Neil and Susanne Nuttall Student Center, the event drew a large crowd of students, alumni, and community members eager to see the revival of a tradition that first began in the 1980s.

NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver opened the festivities by highlighting the importance of honoring campus spirit during the college’s Centennial Celebration. Trustee Don Dalrymple, one of the original founders of the tradition, provided a lively history of Tessie’s impact on campus culture throughout the 90s, while Trustee Diane Lowrey expressed gratitude to the planners who brought the event back to life.

The celebration took on official status when Mayor Jackie Soptic issued a proclamation declaring February 2 as "Trenton Tessie Groundhog Day" in the City of Trenton. This gesture underscored the deep-rooted connection between the college and the local community over the past century.

The highlight of the afternoon occurred when Tessie made her much-anticipated appearance from a custom-engineered burrow, designed by Industrial Technology Instructor Rick Sharp. To the delight of the shivering crowd, Tessie did not see her shadow, officially forecasting an early spring for North Missouri.

The event featured a touch of humor as original founder Joanna Anderson provided an "interpretation" of Tessie’s thoughts. The groundhog reportedly remarked on how much the campus had grown since her last appearance, expressing admiration for the modern developments at NCMC. Following the outdoor ceremony, attendees moved inside the student center to warm up with hot cocoa and cookies.

President Klaver praised the collaborative effort required to stage the revival, noting the contributions of the NCMC Maintenance crew, the Digital Media Crew, and the NCMC Foundation. "Bringing back this tradition gave us an opportunity to recognize the history and spirit of NCMC," Klaver said. "I appreciate everyone who contributed to reviving this historic tradition."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770134429286.jpeg" alt="Courtesy of NCMC" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of NCMC</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHNorth Central Missouri College (NCMC) marked a nostalgic milestone in its 100-year history on Monday, February 2, as it welcomed back its beloved mascot, Tessie, for a special Groundhog Day celebration. Held at noon in front of the Neil and Susanne Nuttall Student Center, the event drew a large crowd of students, alumni, and community members eager to see the revival of a tradition that first began in the 1980s.NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver opened the festivities by highlighting the importance of honoring campus spirit during the college’s Centennial Celebration. Trustee Don Dalrymple, one of the original founders of the tradition, provided a lively history of Tessie’s impact on campus culture throughout the 90s, while Trustee Diane Lowrey expressed gratitude to the planners who brought the event back to life.The celebration took on official status when Mayor Jackie Soptic issued a proclamation declaring February 2 as "Trenton Tessie Groundhog Day" in the City of Trenton. This gesture underscored the deep-rooted connection between the college and the local community over the past century.The highlight of the afternoon occurred when Tessie made her much-anticipated appearance from a custom-engineered burrow, designed by Industrial Technology Instructor Rick Sharp. To the delight of the shivering crowd, Tessie did not see her shadow, officially forecasting an early spring for North Missouri.The event featured a touch of humor as original founder Joanna Anderson provided an "interpretation" of Tessie’s thoughts. The groundhog reportedly remarked on how much the campus had grown since her last appearance, expressing admiration for the modern developments at NCMC. Following the outdoor ceremony, attendees moved inside the student center to warm up with hot cocoa and cookies.President Klaver praised the collaborative effort required to stage the revival, noting the contributions of the NCMC Maintenance crew, the Digital Media Crew, and the NCMC Foundation. "Bringing back this tradition gave us an opportunity to recognize the history and spirit of NCMC," Klaver said. "I appreciate everyone who contributed to reviving this historic tradition."

Trenton Tessie Returns: NCMC revives beloved groundhog tradition for Centennial Celebration

The St. Joseph Police Department is warning area residents about an ongoing jury duty scam.

SJPD posted on Facebook that scammers may call and claim you missed jury duty and now owe fines or face arrest. They often pressure victims to pay immediately using gift cards, prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Officials says courts and law enforcement will not call to demand payment and they will never be threaten anyone with arrest over the phone for jury duty, as legitimate jury notices are sent by mail.

If you receive a scam call, hang up immediately and never send money or share personal information with the scammer.

If you believe you’ve been targeted or victimized, contact the St. Joseph Police Department using the non-emergency line at 816-271-4777.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670337156703.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Police Department" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe St. Joseph Police Department is warning area residents about an ongoing jury duty scam.SJPD posted on Facebook that scammers may call and claim you missed jury duty and now owe fines or face arrest. They often pressure victims to pay immediately using gift cards, prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.Officials says courts and law enforcement will not call to demand payment and they will never be threaten anyone with arrest over the phone for jury duty, as legitimate jury notices are sent by mail.If you receive a scam call, hang up immediately and never send money or share personal information with the scammer.If you believe you’ve been targeted or victimized, contact the St. Joseph Police Department using the non-emergency line at 816-271-4777.

St. Joseph Police Dept. issues warning about ongoing jury duty scam

Northwest Missouri State University has named Dr. Rose Marie Ward as its next provost and vice president of academic affairs, officials announced following a national search.

Ward, who begins her new role Feb. 16, will serve as the university’s chief academic officer. She will oversee enrollment management, academic quality, and student success, while also serving as dean of faculty and the administrative liaison to the Faculty Senate.

“We are delighted to welcome Rose Marie to the Northwest team,” said University President Dr. Lance Tatum. “Her depth of experience and professional background will be a tremendous asset to our institution.”

Ward joins the "Bearcat family" from the University of Cincinnati, where she most recently served as a professor of psychology and special assistant to the provost. During her tenure at Cincinnati, she also held the positions of vice provost of graduate education and dean of the Graduate College.

“I am thrilled to join Northwest and to come alongside the amazing Bearcat family,” Ward said. “As an academic leader, I have championed a student-centered focus while harnessing academic excellence for the public good.”

Before her time in Cincinnati, Ward spent two decades at Miami University in Ohio. Her administrative portfolio there included roles as associate dean of graduate studies and director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. Her faculty experience spans departments including psychology, statistics, and educational leadership.

Ward earned her doctorate and master’s degree in experimental psychology from the University of Rhode Island. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communication from Juniata College.

Ward succeeds Dr. Jamie Hooyman, who retired in December after eight years in the role.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770124888749.jpeg" alt="Rose Marie Ward. courtesy of NWMSU" />
 <figcaption>Rose Marie Ward. courtesy of NWMSU</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHNorthwest Missouri State University has named Dr. Rose Marie Ward as its next provost and vice president of academic affairs, officials announced following a national search.Ward, who begins her new role Feb. 16, will serve as the university’s chief academic officer. She will oversee enrollment management, academic quality, and student success, while also serving as dean of faculty and the administrative liaison to the Faculty Senate.“We are delighted to welcome Rose Marie to the Northwest team,” said University President Dr. Lance Tatum. “Her depth of experience and professional background will be a tremendous asset to our institution.”Ward joins the "Bearcat family" from the University of Cincinnati, where she most recently served as a professor of psychology and special assistant to the provost. During her tenure at Cincinnati, she also held the positions of vice provost of graduate education and dean of the Graduate College.“I am thrilled to join Northwest and to come alongside the amazing Bearcat family,” Ward said. “As an academic leader, I have championed a student-centered focus while harnessing academic excellence for the public good.”Before her time in Cincinnati, Ward spent two decades at Miami University in Ohio. Her administrative portfolio there included roles as associate dean of graduate studies and director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. Her faculty experience spans departments including psychology, statistics, and educational leadership.Ward earned her doctorate and master’s degree in experimental psychology from the University of Rhode Island. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communication from Juniata College.Ward succeeds Dr. Jamie Hooyman, who retired in December after eight years in the role.

Northwest Missouri State appoints Dr. Rose Marie Ward as Provost

Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn announced this week that 17 Missouri youth groups have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Building Our American Communities grant program.

The awards provide $500 each to seven National FFA Organization chapters and 10 Missouri 4-H clubs to fund local community service initiatives. Projects range from physical upgrades to fairgrounds and parks to the improvement of community centers.

“Year after year we see terrific projects and community impact from FFA chapters and 4-H clubs across Missouri,” Director Chinn said. “This year is no different, and we are proud to support efforts that will make a difference in these communities for years to come.”

Established in the 1970s, the BOAC program is funded through the Missouri Agriculture Development Fund via an agreement with the USDA. All selected projects must be completed by Aug. 1, 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685735875202.jpeg" alt="ffa logo" />
 <figcaption>ffa logo</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHMissouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn announced this week that 17 Missouri youth groups have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Building Our American Communities grant program.The awards provide $500 each to seven National FFA Organization chapters and 10 Missouri 4-H clubs to fund local community service initiatives. Projects range from physical upgrades to fairgrounds and parks to the improvement of community centers.“Year after year we see terrific projects and community impact from FFA chapters and 4-H clubs across Missouri,” Director Chinn said. “This year is no different, and we are proud to support efforts that will make a difference in these communities for years to come.”The 2026 grant recipients are:FFA Chapters:<ul>
 <li>California FFA, Moniteau County</li><li>Otterville FFA, Cooper County</li><li>Memphis FFA, Scotland County</li><li>Elsberry FFA, Lincoln County</li><li>Willow Springs FFA, Howell County</li><li>West Plains FFA, Howell County</li><li>Dora FFA, Ozark County</li>
 </ul>4-H Clubs:<ul>
 <li>Show Me 4-H Club, Moniteau County</li><li>4 C’s 4-H Club, Cooper County</li><li>Liberty Leaders 4-H Club, Knox County</li><li>Shafter 4-H Club, Linn County</li><li>Foundation Creation 4-H Club, DeKalb County</li><li>Wranglers 4-H Club, DeKalb County</li><li>Drake 4-H Club, Gasconade County</li><li>Double S 4-H Club, Gasconade County</li><li>Patton 4-H Club, Bollinger County</li><li>Ripley County 4-H Club, Ripley County</li>
 </ul>Established in the 1970s, the BOAC program is funded through the Missouri Agriculture Development Fund via an agreement with the USDA. All selected projects must be completed by Aug. 1, 2026.

FFA and 4-H groups receive state grants

(Radio Iowa) - A bill that's cleared a committee in the Iowa House would ban the sale of kratom - a plant-based stimulant that's being sold in some Iowa gas stations and vape shops.

 The crushed leaves from kratom trees are being used in teas or sold as a powder or pill - plus a new synthetic version has been developed. Bill backers say the adverse effects of kratom are profound. Officials say it's being smuggled into Iowa prisons and some inmates who've used it have become quite violent. Sheldon Bradshaw -- an attorney representing a group called the Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research -- says the group supports a ban on the synthetic version of kratom, but he says the natural botanical version of kratom has been used in Southeast Asia for centuries for its pain relieving properties and that form of kratom should remain available for sale in Iowa. 

The head of the Iowa Office of Drug Control police says the state medical examiner has identified 92 cases where the primary compound in the kratom plant contributed to that death - and most of those cases were before the synthetic version of kratom was available.

(Radio Iowa) - A bill that's cleared a committee in the Iowa House would ban the sale of kratom - a plant-based stimulant that's being sold in some Iowa gas stations and vape shops. The crushed leaves from kratom trees are being used in teas or sold as a powder or pill - plus a new synthetic version has been developed. Bill backers say the adverse effects of kratom are profound. Officials say it's being smuggled into Iowa prisons and some inmates who've used it have become quite violent. Sheldon Bradshaw -- an attorney representing a group called the Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research -- says the group supports a ban on the synthetic version of kratom, but he says the natural botanical version of kratom has been used in Southeast Asia for centuries for its pain relieving properties and that form of kratom should remain available for sale in Iowa. The head of the Iowa Office of Drug Control police says the state medical examiner has identified 92 cases where the primary compound in the kratom plant contributed to that death - and most of those cases were before the synthetic version of kratom was available.

Bill to ban kratom clears Iowa House committee

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

Companies profiting from unregulated convenience store slot machines would have two years to pull their games off the market under a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2989&amp;year=2026&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill advanced Monday</a>&nbsp;in a Missouri House committee.

The bill — the latest in a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/09/14/few-charges-result-from-scores-of-missouri-highway-patrol-gambling-investigations/">years-long effort</a>&nbsp;by law enforcement and legislators to rein in the games — would create a state-run video lottery system to replace the current games. The two-year changeover is double the time allowed in the bill as it was introduced by Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Republican from Dixon.

The original bill, Hardwick said, “may have been too aggressive in terms of getting purchase contracts and to propagate rules. So it seems like for now, we’re going to try a two-year transition period.”

Hardwick said he’s confident the bill will find support in the Missouri House. The committee’s 8-5 vote, however, with three Republicans joining two Democrats in opposition, shows support is shaky.

A similar bill&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/bill-legalizing-video-lottery-games-narrowly-passes-missouri-house/">passed the House last year</a>&nbsp;with just one vote more than the 82 needed. It died in the Senate.&nbsp;

Under Hardwick’s revised bill, the Missouri Lottery would have authority to license video games for installation in retail locations across the state. The licensed machines would have to pay out at least 80% of the money wagered as prizes and about one-third of the profits would be dedicated to state education programs.

The bill would also impose a 3% tax on video lottery profits to aid local governments and would increase the fee casinos pay for each patron who enters the gaming floor from $2 to $4.

At a public hearing on Jan. 27, Hardwick and other supporters said the new games would generate up to $600 million annually for education. The increased casino boarding fee and other licensing fees would generate up to $55 million for state veterans programs.

If those estimates are correct, video lottery would be the most lucrative games yet for vendors and the state treasury.

The most recent expansion of gambling in Missouri, sports wagering, was approved by voters in November 2024. In December, the first month of operation,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/30/missouri-sports-betting-tops-543m-in-first-month-but-deductions-leave-state-with-only-521k/">gamblers wagered $543 million</a>, won $437.7 million back and the state tax on profits generated $521,000.

For the entire fiscal year that ended June 30, gambling generated about $700 million for education programs, with $364 million from casino taxes and $337 million from the lottery.

The games currently available in convenience stores and other retail locations are called “no-chance games” because they have a function that allows a gambler to know the outcome of the next play before making a bet.&nbsp;

The games have thrived in large part due to the lobbying efforts of Torch Electronics, the largest vendor in the market. Torch lobbies lawmakers against video lottery and prosecutors against charging retailers with gambling crimes.&nbsp;

The company has also sued to block law enforcement efforts by state and local agencies.

The changes made Monday to Hardwick’s bill, while allowing a two-year transition, would explicitly ban Torch from converting its machines to legal video lottery terminals. The bill would also give local governments 120 days after the law takes effect to pass an ordinance against video lottery.

One provision removed would have created a new enforcement agency, the Missouri Gaming Bureau, to investigate illegal gambling. The job will remain with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Hardwick said.

Every change, he said, is designed to win more support for the bill.

“The bill we’re developing,” he said, “is a bill that the (House) thinks is fair.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770117705033.png" alt=" State Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Republican from Dixon, is sponsoring a bill to legalize video lottery terminals (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)" />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Republican from Dixon, is sponsoring a bill to legalize video lottery terminals (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Companies profiting from unregulated convenience store slot machines would have two years to pull their games off the market under a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2989&amp;year=2026&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill advanced Monday</a>&nbsp;in a Missouri House committee.The bill — the latest in a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/09/14/few-charges-result-from-scores-of-missouri-highway-patrol-gambling-investigations/">years-long effort</a>&nbsp;by law enforcement and legislators to rein in the games — would create a state-run video lottery system to replace the current games. The two-year changeover is double the time allowed in the bill as it was introduced by Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Republican from Dixon.The original bill, Hardwick said, “may have been too aggressive in terms of getting purchase contracts and to propagate rules. So it seems like for now, we’re going to try a two-year transition period.”Hardwick said he’s confident the bill will find support in the Missouri House. The committee’s 8-5 vote, however, with three Republicans joining two Democrats in opposition, shows support is shaky.A similar bill&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/bill-legalizing-video-lottery-games-narrowly-passes-missouri-house/">passed the House last year</a>&nbsp;with just one vote more than the 82 needed. It died in the Senate.&nbsp;Under Hardwick’s revised bill, the Missouri Lottery would have authority to license video games for installation in retail locations across the state. The licensed machines would have to pay out at least 80% of the money wagered as prizes and about one-third of the profits would be dedicated to state education programs.The bill would also impose a 3% tax on video lottery profits to aid local governments and would increase the fee casinos pay for each patron who enters the gaming floor from $2 to $4.At a public hearing on Jan. 27, Hardwick and other supporters said the new games would generate up to $600 million annually for education. The increased casino boarding fee and other licensing fees would generate up to $55 million for state veterans programs.If those estimates are correct, video lottery would be the most lucrative games yet for vendors and the state treasury.The most recent expansion of gambling in Missouri, sports wagering, was approved by voters in November 2024. In December, the first month of operation,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/30/missouri-sports-betting-tops-543m-in-first-month-but-deductions-leave-state-with-only-521k/">gamblers wagered $543 million</a>, won $437.7 million back and the state tax on profits generated $521,000.For the entire fiscal year that ended June 30, gambling generated about $700 million for education programs, with $364 million from casino taxes and $337 million from the lottery.The games currently available in convenience stores and other retail locations are called “no-chance games” because they have a function that allows a gambler to know the outcome of the next play before making a bet.&nbsp;The games have thrived in large part due to the lobbying efforts of Torch Electronics, the largest vendor in the market. Torch lobbies lawmakers against video lottery and prosecutors against charging retailers with gambling crimes.&nbsp;The company has also sued to block law enforcement efforts by state and local agencies.The changes made Monday to Hardwick’s bill, while allowing a two-year transition, would explicitly ban Torch from converting its machines to legal video lottery terminals. The bill would also give local governments 120 days after the law takes effect to pass an ordinance against video lottery.One provision removed would have created a new enforcement agency, the Missouri Gaming Bureau, to investigate illegal gambling. The job will remain with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Hardwick said.Every change, he said, is designed to win more support for the bill.“The bill we’re developing,” he said, “is a bill that the (House) thinks is fair.”

Video lottery bill would allow 2 years to remove Missouri’s ‘gray market’ slot machines

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Just after 2:30p.m. February 1,&nbsp;an officer on patrol observed 66-year-old Newton Colvin walking in the 600 block Santa Fe Street in the city of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The officer knew there to be an outstanding Municipal Court warrant for Colvin. Officers took Colvin into custody and subsequently found him to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Colvin is being held on the Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court and on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770040982129.png" alt="Colvin photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Colvin photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;Just after 2:30p.m. February 1,&nbsp;an officer on patrol observed 66-year-old Newton Colvin walking in the 600 block Santa Fe Street in the city of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The officer knew there to be an outstanding Municipal Court warrant for Colvin. Officers took Colvin into custody and subsequently found him to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.Colvin is being held on the Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court and on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Police: Man who skipped court was carrying meth during arrest

Twenty emerging and established leaders from across a 19-county region have been selected for the Leadership Northwest Missouri Class of 2026.

The program began its annual series with a two-day retreat on Jan. 21 and 22 at Conception Abbey. Designed to sharpen leadership skills and address regional challenges, the program brings together participants for monthly day-long sessions held at various locations throughout Northwest Missouri.

The program serves as a catalyst for regional progress, emphasizing the interdependence of neighboring communities. Organizers say the curriculum fosters a sense of regional ownership to ensure long-term success for Northwest Missouri.

Below are some comments from various participants:

"The retreat at the Abbey was powerful. Never did I imagine that connections and friendships could be formed in such a short time. The bond that our group formed in 2 days was amazing. This experience was just what I needed for a professional and personal reset. Can't wait to see where the rest of the class year takes us!" - Mindie Stovall, Carroll County

"The time I spent at the Leadership Northwest Missouri retreat at Conception Abbey was such a mental reset. I felt so empowered leaving the retreat, I met lots of people who I can now call friends after just two days. The retreat really got me out of my comfort zone, which I was not expecting but it was something I needed. I wanted to join LNWMO to become a better leader but not only will I be a better leader, I will become a better version of myself." - Ramsay Blair, Andrew County

“The time spent at the Leadership Northwest retreat was a positive and necessary visit to the Conception Abbey. The comradery, understanding and sharing with fellow classmates was eye opening and genuine. The setting at the Abbey gave a relaxed vibe that helped bring clarity and peace to the busy world that keeps us all running. It is a perfect way to kickstart this leadership course.” - Scott Sullins, Holt County

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Leadership Northwest Missouri retreat. I loved that we were welcomed on the same level regardless of where we were in our leadership journey. I left the experience with a restored energy for Northwest Missouri and 20+ new friends and colleagues." Kim Surprise, Nodaway County

The 2026 series will conclude with a graduation ceremony on July 16 in Jamesport.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770055411178.png" alt="The 26th class of Leadership Northwest Missouri is shown during its recent opening retreat at Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri." />
 <figcaption>The 26th class of Leadership Northwest Missouri is shown during its recent opening retreat at Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri.</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHTwenty emerging and established leaders from across a 19-county region have been selected for the Leadership Northwest Missouri Class of 2026.The program began its annual series with a two-day retreat on Jan. 21 and 22 at Conception Abbey. Designed to sharpen leadership skills and address regional challenges, the program brings together participants for monthly day-long sessions held at various locations throughout Northwest Missouri.The 2026 class includes:<ul>
 <li>Andrew County: Ramsay Blair</li><li>Atchison County: Kim Brake, Keifer Nemyer, Summer Reeves</li><li>Buchanan County: Michael Evans, Matthew Stine, Latha Varghese</li><li>Caldwell County: Christa Horne</li><li>Carroll County: Mindy Kelly, Mindie Stovall</li><li>Daviess County: Kelly Hulett</li><li>Grundy County: Kimberly Meeker</li><li>Harrison County: Diane Williams</li><li>Holt County: Scott Sullins</li><li>Livingston County: Shelby Beetsma, Brett Oertwig</li><li>Nodaway County: Gabby Jandron, Cameron Mullock, Rachel Peter</li><li>Clinton, Gentry, Mercer and Worth Counties: Jeremy Glenn</li>
 </ul>The program serves as a catalyst for regional progress, emphasizing the interdependence of neighboring communities. Organizers say the curriculum fosters a sense of regional ownership to ensure long-term success for Northwest Missouri.Below are some comments from various participants:"The retreat at the Abbey was powerful. Never did I imagine that connections and friendships could be formed in such a short time. The bond that our group formed in 2 days was amazing. This experience was just what I needed for a professional and personal reset. Can't wait to see where the rest of the class year takes us!" - Mindie Stovall, Carroll County"The time I spent at the Leadership Northwest Missouri retreat at Conception Abbey was such a mental reset. I felt so empowered leaving the retreat, I met lots of people who I can now call friends after just two days. The retreat really got me out of my comfort zone, which I was not expecting but it was something I needed. I wanted to join LNWMO to become a better leader but not only will I be a better leader, I will become a better version of myself." - Ramsay Blair, Andrew County“The time spent at the Leadership Northwest retreat was a positive and necessary visit to the Conception Abbey. The comradery, understanding and sharing with fellow classmates was eye opening and genuine. The setting at the Abbey gave a relaxed vibe that helped bring clarity and peace to the busy world that keeps us all running. It is a perfect way to kickstart this leadership course.” - Scott Sullins, Holt County“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Leadership Northwest Missouri retreat. I loved that we were welcomed on the same level regardless of where we were in our leadership journey. I left the experience with a restored energy for Northwest Missouri and 20+ new friends and colleagues." Kim Surprise, Nodaway CountyThe 2026 series will conclude with a graduation ceremony on July 16 in Jamesport.

Leadership Northwest Missouri announces Class of 2026

Area residents can celebrate President's Day with creativity at inspireU with a hands-on Maker Faire designed for the whole family. 

This special event expands on the interactive play areas by including over ten extra activities and showcasing several local makers. Cowtown Donuts will be on-site selling fresh miniature donuts throughout the day.

The event is packed with engaging stations that cater to a wide variety of interests. Guests can test their engineering skills at Catapult Corner and the Electric Screwdriver Board, or dive into modern technology at the 3D Printing Pen Playground. For those who enjoy tactile crafts, there will be a Sewing Station, Heat Gun Shrink Art, and a custom Sticker-making station. You can also get your hands dirty at the Slime Bar in the Messy Room, explore Cardboard Construction using a Chomp Saw, or take on the Mystery Material Challenge.

Creators of all ages are welcome, though children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and children under one year old can join the fun for free. All special Maker Faire activities are included in your ticket purchase, and it is highly recommended registering in advance to save on admission. Online tickets are available for $20 per person, while tickets at the door will be $25.

Members of inspireU receive an exclusive discount on their admission, with tickets priced at $15 per person when purchased online or $20 at the door.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729116203362.jpeg" alt="Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHArea residents can celebrate President's Day with creativity at inspireU with a hands-on Maker Faire designed for the whole family. This special event expands on the interactive play areas by including over ten extra activities and showcasing several local makers. Cowtown Donuts will be on-site selling fresh miniature donuts throughout the day.The event is packed with engaging stations that cater to a wide variety of interests. Guests can test their engineering skills at Catapult Corner and the Electric Screwdriver Board, or dive into modern technology at the 3D Printing Pen Playground. For those who enjoy tactile crafts, there will be a Sewing Station, Heat Gun Shrink Art, and a custom Sticker-making station. You can also get your hands dirty at the Slime Bar in the Messy Room, explore Cardboard Construction using a Chomp Saw, or take on the Mystery Material Challenge.Creators of all ages are welcome, though children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and children under one year old can join the fun for free. All special Maker Faire activities are included in your ticket purchase, and it is highly recommended registering in advance to save on admission. Online tickets are available for $20 per person, while tickets at the door will be $25.Members of inspireU receive an exclusive discount on their admission, with tickets priced at $15 per person when purchased online or $20 at the door.&nbsp;InspireU is located at 521 Felix Street.

Build, Create, and Play: Join the President’s Day Maker Faire at inspireU

Several from around northwest Missouri will be traveling to Jefferson City over the next two days as Great Northwest Days is happening once again.  

The event brings together citizens, business owners, government officials, and educators from all 18 counties to speak about the needs in northwest Missouri.  

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn says during an evening event tomorrow, around 500 people will come together, each highlighting their respective county 

"They are really just showcasing, because we’ll have a ton of state senators, representatives, department directors like the Department of Economic Development, Director of Ag, they’ll all come to the event, it’s really a great way for us to highlight northwest Missouri in one room,” Hawn says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “And then we also join together on priorities for northwest Missouri.” 

Hawn says those priorities don't change drastically year to year with it taking time to tackle big issues 

“Workforce housing, housing is a huge deal in St. Joseph but it’s also a big deal in rural Missouri where you don’t have access to developers, or access to capital to do housing, the same struggles that we have here in St. Joseph and really we’re seeing across the country they tend to face rural America more,” Hawn explains.  “Infrastructure and broadband, for us to be successful in growing economic development int he rural communities you have to have infrastructure.”  

Hawn says other priorities include access to rural healthcare, childcare availability, and sustainable tax reform among others.  

Hawn says the event is huge because often lawmakers from around the St. Louis area will come through to learn about a part of the state they don't know much about 

Hawn says even though those lawmakers don't have voters in this area, it still helps many ways 

"I think for them, coming to learn about a part of the state they don’t understand is really helpful,” Hawn says.  “It’s one of the reasons we got the MTC grant, and when we got that really because of Brenda Shields, whose been a great representative for us, but we got it also because the folks understanding that northwest Missouri is important too, and that we tend to get overlooked on funding, whether it’s for entrepreneurs, for infrastructure, et cetera.” 

The grant from the Missouri Technology Corporation helped put together the Launch Pad in St. Joseph which officially opened earlier this month. 

Great Northwest Days runs tomorrow and Wednesday.  During the event tomorrow, Pat Dillon will receive the third Northwest Missouri Citizen of the Year Award at the Great Northwest Evening Reception. 

Dillon was named Chief Government &amp; Community Relations Officer at Mosaic Life Care in 2019 after serving as Vice President of Advocacy/Government Relations. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce &amp; Great Northwest Day committee and past chairman.  

Dillon has also been recognized as one of Ingram’s “50 People in Missouri You Should Know.” Pat and his wife, Nancy, have two adult children and two granddaughters. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

By MATT PIKESeveral from around northwest Missouri will be traveling to Jefferson City over the next two days as Great Northwest Days is happening once again. The event brings together citizens, business owners, government officials, and educators from all 18 counties to speak about the needs in northwest Missouri. St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn says during an evening event tomorrow, around 500 people will come together, each highlighting their respective county "They are really just showcasing, because we’ll have a ton of state senators, representatives, department directors like the Department of Economic Development, Director of Ag, they’ll all come to the event, it’s really a great way for us to highlight northwest Missouri in one room,” Hawn says on the KFEQmunnity show. “And then we also join together on priorities for northwest Missouri.” Hawn says those priorities don't change drastically year to year with it taking time to tackle big issues “Workforce housing, housing is a huge deal in St. Joseph but it’s also a big deal in rural Missouri where you don’t have access to developers, or access to capital to do housing, the same struggles that we have here in St. Joseph and really we’re seeing across the country they tend to face rural America more,” Hawn explains. “Infrastructure and broadband, for us to be successful in growing economic development int he rural communities you have to have infrastructure.” Hawn says other priorities include access to rural healthcare, childcare availability, and sustainable tax reform among others. Hawn says the event is huge because often lawmakers from around the St. Louis area will come through to learn about a part of the state they don't know much about Hawn says even though those lawmakers don't have voters in this area, it still helps many ways "I think for them, coming to learn about a part of the state they don’t understand is really helpful,” Hawn says. “It’s one of the reasons we got the MTC grant, and when we got that really because of Brenda Shields, whose been a great representative for us, but we got it also because the folks understanding that northwest Missouri is important too, and that we tend to get overlooked on funding, whether it’s for entrepreneurs, for infrastructure, et cetera.” The grant from the Missouri Technology Corporation helped put together the Launch Pad in St. Joseph which officially opened earlier this month. Great Northwest Days runs tomorrow and Wednesday. During the event tomorrow, Pat Dillon will receive the third Northwest Missouri Citizen of the Year Award at the Great Northwest Evening Reception. Dillon was named Chief Government &amp; Community Relations Officer at Mosaic Life Care in 2019 after serving as Vice President of Advocacy/Government Relations. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce &amp; Great Northwest Day committee and past chairman. Dillon has also been recognized as one of Ingram’s “50 People in Missouri You Should Know.” Pat and his wife, Nancy, have two adult children and two granddaughters. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

Several county leaders travel to Jefferson City for Great Northwest Days

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced a one-day delay for the scheduled closure of the Route PP bridge over West Locust Creek in Sullivan County. Originally slated to close Monday, Feb. 2, the bridge is now scheduled to shut down to all traffic on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Located west of Milan, the bridge replacement is a component of the Northwest Bridge Bundle project. Contractors expect to complete the new structure and reopen the roadway by June 2026. During the construction period, motorists are advised to seek alternate routes to bypass the closure.

The existing West Locust Creek Bridge was built in 1955 and currently carries an average of 59 vehicles per day. Its replacement is part of a regional effort to modernize aging infrastructure. “The Northwest Bridge Bundle is a Design-Build project which will replace or rehabilitate 31 poor-condition bridges in north central Missouri,” said MoDOT Project Manager Michael Marriott.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded the design-build contract to the Capital – Horner &amp; Shifrin team in December 2023. This specific delivery method differs from traditional projects by pairing the design and construction phases under a single contract.

Under the design-build model, MoDOT establishes the primary project goals, budget, and schedule, while the contractor team executes the design and construction simultaneously. 

MoDOT says this approach is frequently utilized to accelerate project timelines and provide significant cost savings to taxpayers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755177251795.jpeg" alt="Road Closed" />
 <figcaption>Road Closed</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe Missouri Department of Transportation has announced a one-day delay for the scheduled closure of the Route PP bridge over West Locust Creek in Sullivan County. Originally slated to close Monday, Feb. 2, the bridge is now scheduled to shut down to all traffic on Tuesday, Feb. 3.Located west of Milan, the bridge replacement is a component of the Northwest Bridge Bundle project. Contractors expect to complete the new structure and reopen the roadway by June 2026. During the construction period, motorists are advised to seek alternate routes to bypass the closure.The existing West Locust Creek Bridge was built in 1955 and currently carries an average of 59 vehicles per day. Its replacement is part of a regional effort to modernize aging infrastructure. “The Northwest Bridge Bundle is a Design-Build project which will replace or rehabilitate 31 poor-condition bridges in north central Missouri,” said MoDOT Project Manager Michael Marriott.The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded the design-build contract to the Capital – Horner &amp; Shifrin team in December 2023. This specific delivery method differs from traditional projects by pairing the design and construction phases under a single contract.Under the design-build model, MoDOT establishes the primary project goals, budget, and schedule, while the contractor team executes the design and construction simultaneously. MoDOT says this approach is frequently utilized to accelerate project timelines and provide significant cost savings to taxpayers.

Sullivan County Route PP Bridge closure set for Tuesday

Here is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in the Northwest region of Missouri for the week of Feb. 2 - 8.

There may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below. Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work.

Interstate 29 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;to all thru traffic between Route 6 (northbound Exit 43) and I-229/Route 71 (Exit 56B) for the demolition of the Gene Field Road Bridge, 6 p.m. Feb. 7 through 5 a.m. Feb. 9. &nbsp;Traffic will be detoured onto I-229.

Gene Field Road Bridge –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;due to damage from being struck by an oversized load.&nbsp;

Route 752 (Alabama Street) –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;from U.S. Route 59 to Sherman Street for an intersection improvement project through February 2026.&nbsp;

I-29 – Lighting repair work southbound from Route 6 off ramp to the 47.6 mile marker, Feb. 7-9.

Route D – Bridge replacement project at the Shoal Creek Bridge through March 2026. The roadway may be narrowed to one lane.

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Mid-Fork Chariton River Overflow Bridge for replacement projects through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through March 2026.

Route KK –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Puzzle Creek Bridge for a replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through mid-March 2026.

Route O –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Bee Creek Bridge for a replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route KK –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Little Chariton River Bridge for a deck replacement project through March 2026.

Route 111 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for core drilling at the Tarkio River Bridge, Feb. 2, noon to 5 p.m. and Feb. 3-5, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Route 11 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Badger Creek Bridge, north of New Boston, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through May 2026.

Route 139 -&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Parson Creek Bridge, north of Meadville, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through May 2026.

Route K –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the North Fork Crooked Creek Bridge beginning Feb. 19 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Locust Creek Bridge beginning Feb. 2, through June 2026, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route T –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the East Locust Creek bridge due to deterioration. The bridge is scheduled to be replaced in the spring of 2026 through the Northwest Bridge Bundle.

Route W –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement at the West Fork Grand River Bridge through January 2026.

MoDOT reminds drivers to work with crews by buckling up, putting your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704585565260.png" alt="MoDot" />
 <figcaption>MoDot</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHHere is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in the Northwest region of Missouri for the week of Feb. 2 - 8.There may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below. Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work.Buchanan CountyInterstate 29 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;to all thru traffic between Route 6 (northbound Exit 43) and I-229/Route 71 (Exit 56B) for the demolition of the Gene Field Road Bridge, 6 p.m. Feb. 7 through 5 a.m. Feb. 9. &nbsp;Traffic will be detoured onto I-229.Gene Field Road Bridge –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;due to damage from being struck by an oversized load.&nbsp;Route 752 (Alabama Street) –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;from U.S. Route 59 to Sherman Street for an intersection improvement project through February 2026.&nbsp;I-29 – Lighting repair work southbound from Route 6 off ramp to the 47.6 mile marker, Feb. 7-9.Caldwell CountyRoute D – Bridge replacement project at the Shoal Creek Bridge through March 2026. The roadway may be narrowed to one lane.Chariton CountyRoute PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Mid-Fork Chariton River Overflow Bridge for replacement projects through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through March 2026.Route KK –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Puzzle Creek Bridge for a replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through mid-March 2026.Route O –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Bee Creek Bridge for a replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.Route KK –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Little Chariton River Bridge for a deck replacement project through March 2026.Holt CountyRoute 111 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for core drilling at the Tarkio River Bridge, Feb. 2, noon to 5 p.m. and Feb. 3-5, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.Linn CountyRoute 11 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Badger Creek Bridge, north of New Boston, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through May 2026.Route 139 -&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Parson Creek Bridge, north of Meadville, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through May 2026.Livingston CountyRoute K –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the North Fork Crooked Creek Bridge beginning Feb. 19 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.Sullivan CountyRoute PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Locust Creek Bridge beginning Feb. 2, through June 2026, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.Route T –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the East Locust Creek bridge due to deterioration. The bridge is scheduled to be replaced in the spring of 2026 through the Northwest Bridge Bundle.Worth CountyRoute W –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement at the West Fork Grand River Bridge through January 2026.MoDOT reminds drivers to work with crews by buckling up, putting your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.

Planned Roadwork for Northwest Missouri, Feb. 2 - 8

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Supreme Court rules a victim impact statement in Cerro Gordo County case was properly used to sentence a woman took money from her employer.

 Malorie Hallock pleaded guilty to stealing 120-thousand dollars during a nine-month period when she worked at Studio 65 Tattoo in Clear Lake. She agreed to a plea deal for a deferred judgment and promised to gradually pay back the money. The owner of Studio 65 Tattoo made a lengthy victim-impact statement at Hallock’s sentencing saying the embezzlement almost ruined her life, and caused her to be hospitalized for depression. The owner said it was hard to accept that she would get off so easily after stealing so much. 

The judge said the impact statement was thoughtful and sentenced Hallock to an indefinite prison term not to exceed ten years. Hallock said the court abused its discretion in the sentencing, but the Supreme Court ruled the judge is not bound by a sentencing recommendation and properly considered the impact statement.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Supreme Court rules a victim impact statement in Cerro Gordo County case was properly used to sentence a woman took money from her employer. Malorie Hallock pleaded guilty to stealing 120-thousand dollars during a nine-month period when she worked at Studio 65 Tattoo in Clear Lake. She agreed to a plea deal for a deferred judgment and promised to gradually pay back the money. The owner of Studio 65 Tattoo made a lengthy victim-impact statement at Hallock’s sentencing saying the embezzlement almost ruined her life, and caused her to be hospitalized for depression. The owner said it was hard to accept that she would get off so easily after stealing so much. The judge said the impact statement was thoughtful and sentenced Hallock to an indefinite prison term not to exceed ten years. Hallock said the court abused its discretion in the sentencing, but the Supreme Court ruled the judge is not bound by a sentencing recommendation and properly considered the impact statement.

Iowa Supreme Court Rules Victim Impact Statement Has Impact

A 33-year-old St. Joseph man has been sentenced to four life terms in prison for a series of felony child sex abuse crimes committed over the span of a year.

Circuit Judge Terry White handed down the maximum possible sentence to Johnathan Edward Sears on four specific counts: one count of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sodomy involving a child under the age of 12.

The sentencing follows a jury trial in which Sears was found guilty of six felony charges in total. In addition to the rape and sodomy convictions, the jury found him guilty of second-degree child molestation.

The court ordered that the four life sentences be served concurrently. However, Sears will serve an additional 10 years in prison for the remaining felony counts.

The investigation into Sears began in early 2023, leading to his arrest in March. Prosecutors noted the case involved multiple victims, all of whom were under the age of 12 at the time of the abuse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770030944330.jpeg" alt="Sears=photo Buchannan County Sheriff's Dept" />
 <figcaption>Sears=photo Buchannan County Sheriff's Dept</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHA 33-year-old St. Joseph man has been sentenced to four life terms in prison for a series of felony child sex abuse crimes committed over the span of a year.Circuit Judge Terry White handed down the maximum possible sentence to Johnathan Edward Sears on four specific counts: one count of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sodomy involving a child under the age of 12.The sentencing follows a jury trial in which Sears was found guilty of six felony charges in total. In addition to the rape and sodomy convictions, the jury found him guilty of second-degree child molestation.The court ordered that the four life sentences be served concurrently. However, Sears will serve an additional 10 years in prison for the remaining felony counts.The investigation into Sears began in early 2023, leading to his arrest in March. Prosecutors noted the case involved multiple victims, all of whom were under the age of 12 at the time of the abuse.

St. Joseph man sentenced to four life terms for child sex abuse

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating an injury accident that occurred just after 12:30a.m. early Saturday in Atchison.

A 2019 Honda pickup driven by Joshua Hosier, 42, Atchison, was westbound on Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; A 2001 Toyota Highlander driven by Joshua Campbell, 18, Atchison, was southbound on 14th Street. The two vehicles collided at the&nbsp;intersection of 14th and Kansas Avenue. 

EMS arrived on the scene and examined and treated Campbell and a 21-year-old passenger for minor injuries but they were not transported. 

Hosier had fled the scene on foot but went to Police headquarters a short time later.&nbsp; EMS later transported him to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries that he sustained in the accident. 

Charges are pending against Hosier, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1769959094995.jpeg" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating an injury accident that occurred just after 12:30a.m. early Saturday in Atchison.A 2019 Honda pickup driven by Joshua Hosier, 42, Atchison, was westbound on Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; A 2001 Toyota Highlander driven by Joshua Campbell, 18, Atchison, was southbound on 14th Street. The two vehicles collided at the&nbsp;intersection of 14th and Kansas Avenue. EMS arrived on the scene and examined and treated Campbell and a 21-year-old passenger for minor injuries but they were not transported. Hosier had fled the scene on foot but went to Police headquarters a short time later.&nbsp; EMS later transported him to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries that he sustained in the accident. Charges are pending against Hosier, according to Wilson.

Kan. man hospitalized after running from 2 vehicle crash

After providing more than $100 million in free plays to lure customers, FanDuel and Draftkings, the sports books dominating the state market, paid no taxes

Missourians placed more than half-a-billion dollars in bets on sporting events in December but promotional offers offset the taxable profits, leaving less than $1 million to help problem gamblers and public education.

<h2>After providing more than $100 million in free plays to lure customers, FanDuel and Draftkings, the sports books dominating the state market, paid no taxes</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missourians placed more than half-a-billion dollars in bets on sporting events in December but promotional offers offset the taxable profits, leaving less than $1 million to help problem gamblers and public education.Voters narrowly approved sports betting in November 2024, with a majority of just&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/27/passage-of-missouri-sports-wagering-seems-assured-despite-narrow-margin/">2,691 votes out of almost 3 million cast</a>. The first month’s wagering far&nbsp;<a href="https://sportshandle.com/missouri-sports-betting-could-see-up-to-370m-handle-in-first-month/" target="_blank">exceeded some estimates</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mgc.dps.mo.gov/SportsWagering/sw_financials/FY26_SWFinReport/12_Dec/SW%20Monthly%20Financials%201225.pdf" target="_blank">$543 million wagered</a>, more than 99% through online platforms.The financial report, issued Friday by the Missouri Gaming Commission, showed the impact of provisions in the constitutional amendment allowing companies accepting bets to deduct the cost of promotional and other expenses.&nbsp;The 16 licensed operators provided customers more than $125 million in free bets and other promotional benefits. As a result, most showed a negative result and deductions exceeded net revenue by $20 million.The gaming commission received nearly $7.5 million from initial license fees paid for the 16 retail and online licenses. Two companies, DraftKings and Circa Sports, are online-only licenses, while the other 14 are either in casinos, at major sports venues or online platforms partnering with a major sports team.The net to the state was $521,200, or less than one-one-hundredth of 1% of the total wagered.“The license-fee total reflects the fact that a majority of the licenses issued at launch are five-year licenses,” Mike Leara, executive director of the gaming commission, said in a news release. “These figures also reflect a market in its early stages, including the impact of significant promotional deductions that are customary during initial rollout.”The commission anticipates using 9% of the licensing fees for administration, and the remainder will be transferred to the&nbsp;Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund. Most of that is a one-time infusion of money because the major licenses have a five-year life, Leara said in an interview with The Independent.The result is encouraging despite the small total for tax revenue, Leara said. The structure of the constitutional amendment meant that small returns are likely during the opening months, he said.“When we finally get through some of this early start up costs, we’ll see money,” he said.The promotional offers will diminish and bettors will settle into patterns as the market matures, he said.“In six months, we’re going to have a better gage of what to expect on the month to month basis, and I think that it will increase these numbers,” Leara said.State Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel who chairs the House Budget Committee, called the revenue report “sad” and said it was what he expected from an initiative written by the online sports betting companies.“We might as well have just made them tax free at this point,” Deaton said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/12/st-louis-cardinals-lead-missouris-major-teams-to-launch-initiative-on-sports-betting/">initiative campaign was launched</a>&nbsp;after lawmakers tried for several years, and failed, to write a bill authorizing sports wagering.&nbsp;“In the General Assembly, we ought to look ourselves in the mirror,” he said. “It’s probably another example of something which we should have figured out and put a better framework in place.”The tax on the net revenue of sports wagering platforms is 10%, less than half of the 21% tax on net receipts for the state’s 13 licensed casinos. During December, the casinos&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mgc.dps.mo.gov/Casino_Gaming/rb_financials/FY26_FinReport/12_Dec/WEB1225.pdf" target="_blank">paid $36.2 million in taxes</a>&nbsp;on net winnings of $172.4 million.Leara said he agreed that the low tax revenue is due to lawmakers failing to pass sports wagering legislation.“This could have been much different,” Leara said. “The tax rate could have been higher and the deductions would have likely, absolutely, been less.”Under the Missouri Constitution, most tax revenue from gambling is&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++39(d)&amp;bid=31793&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">dedicated to public schools and higher education</a>. Casinos paid $363 million in taxes in the fiscal year that ended June 30 and the Missouri Lottery provided about $337 million.The 2024 initiative campaign, organized by the state’s professional sports teams and paid for by DraftKings and FanDuel, two of the major online sports books, cost $43 million. An opposition campaign, financed by Caesars Entertainment, owners of three casinos in Missouri, spent $15 million.During the campaign to pass sports wagering, voters were told it would be a windfall to education, allowing increased teacher pay and other benefits for public schools.&nbsp;“It doesn’t necessarily match the commercials that got this passed, does it,” said state Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.Black, who was a teacher before becoming a legislator, said in an interview with The Independent he is not sure when any of the promised benefits for education will be realized.“Sports gaming will probably provide $100 million to education total, as long as I don’t die in the next 10 years,” Black said.Only DraftKings, however, won one of the two licenses that went to online platforms that are not linked to one of the state’s casinos or major league sports teams.&nbsp;DraftKings captured nearly 40% of the market, booking $195 million in bets but showing a negative net result after paying out $163 million in winnings and giving bettors $48.5 million in promotional and other benefits. DraftKings paid no tax and had $16 million in deductions carried over into January.&nbsp;Circa Sports, the other “untethered” licensee, handled only $1.4 million in wagers and showed $1.3 million in deductions. Circa Sports paid $11,739 in tax.FanDuel won a license from the Missouri Gaming Commission by partnering with St. Louis City, a Major League Soccer team. FanDuel booked $212 million in wagers but also showed a net negative result, with $166 million paid out in winnings and $53 million in deductions for promotional benefits. The company paid no tax and carries over $7 million in deductions to January.The $543 million handle shows that the launch of sports betting in Missouri was successful, said Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the Sports Betting Alliance.“We applaud the Missouri Gaming Commission for its hard work to ensure a smooth and successful launch,” Cardetti said in a prepared statement, “and we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from Missourians who are impressed with the tools and resources available to help them monitor their play, protect their data and provide the security they feel in placing legal, regulated bets, while keeping their dollars in Missouri.”’In a separate statement, Cardetti said the small return to the state was an expected result of the promotional deductions in the amendment.“Like in most states, permanent, dedicated tax revenues for education will grow significantly over time after starting small in the initial months of a new sports betting program, due to investing in marketing efforts to migrate bettors out of illegal and unregulated settings toward state-licensed operators,” Cardetti said. “Missouri’s sports betting law anticipated this transition period and required millions in up front licensing fees, with nearly $7.5 million in fees already paid to the state.”The fiscal estimates for the initiative showed revenue could be as little as nothing or as much as $28.9 million a year.State Rep. Betsy Fogle, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said she expected more money, even with the heavy advertising of promotions to lure customers.“I guess it’s not super surprising to me that we haven’t seen real dollars work their way into our revenue streams yet, and I would anticipate that those would increase as those promotionals have gone away,” she said.In Kansas, where the tax and deduction allowances are similar to Missouri, operators paid taxes that were&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/25/repub/kansas-legislators-look-for-bigger-payout-from-sportsbooks-with-contracts-set-to-expire/">less than 1% of $2.7 billion</a>&nbsp;in bets in the past fiscal year. Lawmakers in Kansas are considering whether to change the tax structure to capture more of the revenue. A similar move is much harder in Missouri because it would require another statewide vote to change the constitution.&nbsp;“Because sports wagering was adopted through a voter-approved constitutional amendment, core elements such as the tax structure and allowable deductions cannot simply be adjusted by the General Assembly,” Black said in a statement.Gambling alone cannot pay for public schools or higher education, Deaton said“There’s no taxation structure in which that would ever be the case, or could be, unless we just were spending significantly less,” he said.When education will see any money from sports wagering is uncertain. The amendment included a carve-out, setting aside the first $5 million in annual tax revenue for the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund.Fogle, who said she voted for the amendment because she wanted to place bets, said she doubted during the campaign that education would see any significant benefits.“I thought it was disingenuous,” Fogle said, “and I recommended people not vote for it because of the promises for education.”

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