The bill growing out of an interim committee’s work would set separate tax rates for different types of property and set appraisals at replacement costs rather than sale value

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>

Property tax bills would look different next year, with separate rates for each type of property,&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?year=2026&amp;bill=HB2780&amp;code=R%20&amp;cal=1" target="_blank">under a measure</a>&nbsp;given first-round approval Wednesday in the Missouri House.

The proposal from state Rep. Tim Taylor, a Republican from Bunceton, would also move all local tax elections to November, change how the taxable value of homes and commercial property is calculated and limit when homes rented for short-term stays can be taxed as commercial property.

The wide-ranging bill is designed to quiet public outrage over rapidly rising tax bills tied to biennial reassessments.&nbsp;

“Our tax system is a mess in many ways,” Taylor said. “It did not become a mess overnight. It became a mess over a long period of time.”

The bill won first-round approval on a voice vote. A final roll call vote is needed to move the bill to the state Senate.

Last year, Taylor chaired the Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform, which toured the state to take testimony. The bill debated Wednesday grew out of that work, he said.

Some of the changes are technical in nature, such as allowing tax bills to be paid in installments in every county of the state.&nbsp;

The bill’s directive to implement separate tax rates for various types of property will have the biggest impact on individual taxpayers, Taylor said.

“This bill is crafted in a way that it is going to make substantive changes for our taxpayers and bring stability to their issues we heard so much about as we went across the state,” Taylor said.

When Missouri governments set property tax rates, they are stated as an amount to be charged for every $100 of assessed value. The minimum tax rate for school districts, for example, is $2.75 per $100 of assessed value.

Each of the state’s 2,811 taxing districts has a tax rate ceiling, which is the highest rate it is allowed to charge. The ceiling may be different from the actual rate charged.

Under the 1980 Hancock Amendment to the Missouri Constitution, revenue from property taxes in each district is allowed to increase annually by the rate of inflation. When property values rise after the biennial reassessment cycle, if the tax rate ceiling would produce revenue in excess of the limit, taxing authorities are required to reduce the ceiling.

Everywhere in Missouri except St. Louis County, taxes are uniform for all property subclasses — residential, commercial, agricultural and personal. If values on one type of property rise faster than for others, the owners in that subclass pay a bigger share of the total taxes while other property owners pay less.

That happened in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/30/diluting-the-rollback-missouris-tool-for-capping-property-tax-rates-gives-limited-relief/">Hamilton in Caldwell County</a>&nbsp;last year. Commercial assessments in the town of about 1,700 increased by 200% or more and tax bills for those properties rose dramatically even as tax rates in some districts that include Hamilton declined moderately.

In St. Louis County taxing districts have charged separate rates for each subclass since 2003. As a result, residential properties generally pay the lowest rates, followed by commercial property owners.

In four St. Louis County school districts, the spread between the rates paid by homeowners for residential property is more than $2 per $100 of assessed value.&nbsp;

The largest difference is in the Bayless School District in south St. Louis County, where the residential rate is $2.788 per $100 while the personal property tax rate — paid on autos, trailers and boats — is $5.3231 per $100.

During reassessment last year, the assessed value of residential property in Bayless School District increased 16.4% and the tax rate fell 9.5%. The assessed value of personal property declined 2.9% and the tax rate was unchanged.

Creating separate tax rates for each property subclass is called&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/21/missouri-house-committee-eyes-plan-to-silo-property-classes-for-taxation/">“siloing” the rates</a>. The change is intended to end the process that has shifted the tax burden away from farms, railroads and utility companies to homeowners and commercial businesses.&nbsp;

“To me, that is the base of this entire bill,” Taylor said. “It is the foundation.”

The siloing provisions of the bill received little debate compared to altering election dates and questions about whether the proposed changes are too expansive.

Currently, taxing districts can call an election for bond issues or tax increases on several dates during a year. The bill would require all tax elections to take place at the November general elections in even-numbered years.

Other election dates can have extremely low turnout, and that appeals to district directors seeking a tax increase, Taylor said.

“There are those taxing entities that will seek to get the lowest voter turnout time so they can get their voters out,” he said.

Other members questioned whether that will allow the flexibility to meet emergencies.

“You can’t adequately plan it if you have to wait two years for the election to come around,” said state Rep. Eric Woods, a Democrat from Kansas City.

State Rep. Rodger Reedy, a Republican from Windsor who was vice-chair of the interim committee, said limiting election dates could deprive agencies like fire or ambulance districts the money needed to meet public service demands. He said he did not see a problem having tax elections on days with low turnout.

“People have the freedom to vote,” Reedy said. “They have the freedom not to vote.”

Information about local tax measures could be swamped by the messages from candidates or statewide ballot measures where campaigns are spending millions of dollars. Ballots could grow to multiple pages that confuse voters as well, said state Rep. Bill Falkner, a Republican from St. Joseph.

“What they are doing is they are going to vote on the first page and leave the rest blank,” he said.

The number of changes in the way taxes are calculated and set could make implementation difficult, said state Rep. Peggy McGaugh, a Republican from Carrollton.

“We need to slow our roll out a little bit and we need to talk to the counties and we need to talk to the townships about how this will be implemented,” she said.

Taylor acknowledged that there will be districts that gain and districts that lose under the legislation but said he thinks the results will be acceptable to all.

And, he said, it will be up to future lawmakers to adjust the provisions that go too far.&nbsp;

“For the years to come,” he said, “this body is going to be responsible for additional changes and cleaning up something that is quite complicated and where people are getting hurt in many ways.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770894891860.png" alt="The bill growing out of an interim committee’s work would set separate tax rates for different types of property and set appraisals at replacement costs rather than sale value" />
 <figcaption>The bill growing out of an interim committee’s work would set separate tax rates for different types of property and set appraisals at replacement costs rather than sale value</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The bill growing out of an interim committee’s work would set separate tax rates for different types of property and set appraisals at replacement costs rather than sale value</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>Property tax bills would look different next year, with separate rates for each type of property,&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?year=2026&amp;bill=HB2780&amp;code=R%20&amp;cal=1" target="_blank">under a measure</a>&nbsp;given first-round approval Wednesday in the Missouri House.The proposal from state Rep. Tim Taylor, a Republican from Bunceton, would also move all local tax elections to November, change how the taxable value of homes and commercial property is calculated and limit when homes rented for short-term stays can be taxed as commercial property.The wide-ranging bill is designed to quiet public outrage over rapidly rising tax bills tied to biennial reassessments.&nbsp;“Our tax system is a mess in many ways,” Taylor said. “It did not become a mess overnight. It became a mess over a long period of time.”The bill won first-round approval on a voice vote. A final roll call vote is needed to move the bill to the state Senate.Last year, Taylor chaired the Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform, which toured the state to take testimony. The bill debated Wednesday grew out of that work, he said.Some of the changes are technical in nature, such as allowing tax bills to be paid in installments in every county of the state.&nbsp;Other provisions include:<ul>
 <li>No local government would be able to describe a ballot measure as a “no tax increase” tax proposal.</li><li>All tax measures would be labeled with a letter or number instead of a descriptive term.</li><li>Changes the market value used for assessments from the amount that would be realized at a sale to “the actual replacement cost or costs of the real property and improvements.”</li><li>Tax proposals on the ballot would be stated in the additional tax due per $100,000 of market value.</li><li>The value of newly constructed buildings or improvements to buildings would no longer be excluded from the calculation of&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=X++++22&amp;bid=32059&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">whether a rollback is required</a>.</li>
 </ul>The bill’s directive to implement separate tax rates for various types of property will have the biggest impact on individual taxpayers, Taylor said.“This bill is crafted in a way that it is going to make substantive changes for our taxpayers and bring stability to their issues we heard so much about as we went across the state,” Taylor said.<h2>Calculating tax rates</h2>When Missouri governments set property tax rates, they are stated as an amount to be charged for every $100 of assessed value. The minimum tax rate for school districts, for example, is $2.75 per $100 of assessed value.Each of the state’s 2,811 taxing districts has a tax rate ceiling, which is the highest rate it is allowed to charge. The ceiling may be different from the actual rate charged.Under the 1980 Hancock Amendment to the Missouri Constitution, revenue from property taxes in each district is allowed to increase annually by the rate of inflation. When property values rise after the biennial reassessment cycle, if the tax rate ceiling would produce revenue in excess of the limit, taxing authorities are required to reduce the ceiling.Everywhere in Missouri except St. Louis County, taxes are uniform for all property subclasses — residential, commercial, agricultural and personal. If values on one type of property rise faster than for others, the owners in that subclass pay a bigger share of the total taxes while other property owners pay less.That happened in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/12/30/diluting-the-rollback-missouris-tool-for-capping-property-tax-rates-gives-limited-relief/">Hamilton in Caldwell County</a>&nbsp;last year. Commercial assessments in the town of about 1,700 increased by 200% or more and tax bills for those properties rose dramatically even as tax rates in some districts that include Hamilton declined moderately.In St. Louis County taxing districts have charged separate rates for each subclass since 2003. As a result, residential properties generally pay the lowest rates, followed by commercial property owners.In four St. Louis County school districts, the spread between the rates paid by homeowners for residential property is more than $2 per $100 of assessed value.&nbsp;The largest difference is in the Bayless School District in south St. Louis County, where the residential rate is $2.788 per $100 while the personal property tax rate — paid on autos, trailers and boats — is $5.3231 per $100.During reassessment last year, the assessed value of residential property in Bayless School District increased 16.4% and the tax rate fell 9.5%. The assessed value of personal property declined 2.9% and the tax rate was unchanged.Creating separate tax rates for each property subclass is called&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/21/missouri-house-committee-eyes-plan-to-silo-property-classes-for-taxation/">“siloing” the rates</a>. The change is intended to end the process that has shifted the tax burden away from farms, railroads and utility companies to homeowners and commercial businesses.&nbsp;“To me, that is the base of this entire bill,” Taylor said. “It is the foundation.”<h2>Other provisions</h2>The siloing provisions of the bill received little debate compared to altering election dates and questions about whether the proposed changes are too expansive.Currently, taxing districts can call an election for bond issues or tax increases on several dates during a year. The bill would require all tax elections to take place at the November general elections in even-numbered years.Other election dates can have extremely low turnout, and that appeals to district directors seeking a tax increase, Taylor said.“There are those taxing entities that will seek to get the lowest voter turnout time so they can get their voters out,” he said.Other members questioned whether that will allow the flexibility to meet emergencies.“You can’t adequately plan it if you have to wait two years for the election to come around,” said state Rep. Eric Woods, a Democrat from Kansas City.State Rep. Rodger Reedy, a Republican from Windsor who was vice-chair of the interim committee, said limiting election dates could deprive agencies like fire or ambulance districts the money needed to meet public service demands. He said he did not see a problem having tax elections on days with low turnout.“People have the freedom to vote,” Reedy said. “They have the freedom not to vote.”Information about local tax measures could be swamped by the messages from candidates or statewide ballot measures where campaigns are spending millions of dollars. Ballots could grow to multiple pages that confuse voters as well, said state Rep. Bill Falkner, a Republican from St. Joseph.“What they are doing is they are going to vote on the first page and leave the rest blank,” he said.The number of changes in the way taxes are calculated and set could make implementation difficult, said state Rep. Peggy McGaugh, a Republican from Carrollton.“We need to slow our roll out a little bit and we need to talk to the counties and we need to talk to the townships about how this will be implemented,” she said.Taylor acknowledged that there will be districts that gain and districts that lose under the legislation but said he thinks the results will be acceptable to all.And, he said, it will be up to future lawmakers to adjust the provisions that go too far.&nbsp;“For the years to come,” he said, “this body is going to be responsible for additional changes and cleaning up something that is quite complicated and where people are getting hurt in many ways.”

Missouri House moves ahead on bill to silo property tax rates, move tax elections to November

MERCER COUNTY —One person injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway. Patrol reported a 2015 Toyota RAV 4 driven by a 26-year-old Trenton man was southbound on U.S. 65 four miles north of Spickard. The SUV rear ended a horse and buggy driven by 31-year-old Spickard man.

Mercer County ambulance transported the horse and buggy driver to Mosaic Life Caare in St. Joseph. The SUV driver was properly restrained and not injured, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims. The patrol did release details on the condition of the horse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686146756144.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>MERCER COUNTY —One person injured in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Mercer County.The Missouri State Highway. Patrol reported a 2015 Toyota RAV 4 driven by a 26-year-old Trenton man was southbound on U.S. 65 four miles north of Spickard. The SUV rear ended a horse and buggy driven by 31-year-old Spickard man.Mercer County ambulance transported the horse and buggy driver to Mosaic Life Caare in St. Joseph. The SUV driver was properly restrained and not injured, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims. The patrol did release details on the condition of the horse.

Mo. man hospitalized after SUV rear-ends a horse and buggy

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before noon Wednesday in DeKalb County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Cadillac XTS driven by a 74-year-old Maysville man was westbound on U.S. 36 at taylor Road two miles west of Stewartsville.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the north side of the highway, struck a Chevron sign, a field fence and a tree.

DeKalb-Clinton County ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before noon Wednesday in DeKalb County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Cadillac XTS driven by a 74-year-old Maysville man was westbound on U.S. 36 at taylor Road two miles west of Stewartsville.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the north side of the highway, struck a Chevron sign, a field fence and a tree.DeKalb-Clinton County ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man injured after car strikes a fence and a tree

A press release from the Elwood Police Department says on January 15, 2026, Elwood police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying a stolen Nebraska registration tag after receiving information from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

During the stop, officers arrested the following individuals:

- Kyle Wissler was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Stolen Property, and Driving While License Suspended.

- Quetin Elmer was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was also held on an active arrest warrant out of Nemaha County, Kansas.

While processing the case, officers reportedly observed additional items that appeared suspicious and proactively contacted neighboring agencies to determine whether the property was connected to any open investigations. 

As a result, the Hiawatha Police Department obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, leading to the recovery of property connected to a double burglary investigation. Information from this case also assisted the Nebraska City Police Department in advancing their investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769659639285.png" alt="Police" />
 <figcaption>Police</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHA press release from the Elwood Police Department says on January 15, 2026, Elwood police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying a stolen Nebraska registration tag after receiving information from the Kansas Highway Patrol.During the stop, officers arrested the following individuals:- Kyle Wissler was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Stolen Property, and Driving While License Suspended.- Quetin Elmer was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was also held on an active arrest warrant out of Nemaha County, Kansas.While processing the case, officers reportedly observed additional items that appeared suspicious and proactively contacted neighboring agencies to determine whether the property was connected to any open investigations. As a result, the Hiawatha Police Department obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, leading to the recovery of property connected to a double burglary investigation. Information from this case also assisted the Nebraska City Police Department in advancing their investigation.

Elwood Police stop leads to multi-agency burglary and drug bust

The University of Missouri Extension is offering 'Dining with Diabetes,' a healthy cooking class specifically designed for individuals looking to manage their diabetes through better nutrition. 

This program focuses on proving that healthy meals can be easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and delicious.

Participants have the opportunity to gain practical skills through live recipe demonstrations and comprehensive educational sessions. The curriculum covers:

This course consists of four consecutive Monday sessions. To ensure safety and accessibility, all classes will be held virtually via Zoom.

The Department of Health and Senior Services, says the program is completely free for all participants. However, registration is required to receive the Zoom link and course materials. To register, call Rachel Livesay at 816-324-3147 or <a href="https://pears.io/events/mu/4223/">online</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753221924568.jpeg" alt="MU Extension" />
 <figcaption>MU Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe University of Missouri Extension is offering 'Dining with Diabetes,' a healthy cooking class specifically designed for individuals looking to manage their diabetes through better nutrition. This program focuses on proving that healthy meals can be easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and delicious.Participants have the opportunity to gain practical skills through live recipe demonstrations and comprehensive educational sessions. The curriculum covers:<ul>
 <li>Nutrition &amp; Meal Planning: Learning how to balance plates effectively.</li><li>Medical Literacy: Understanding common diabetes-related medical tests.</li><li>Physical Activity: Up-to-date information on the role of exercise.</li><li>Resources: Every participant will receive a workbook and a collection of recipes to keep.</li>
 </ul>This course consists of four consecutive Monday sessions. To ensure safety and accessibility, all classes will be held virtually via Zoom.<ul>
 <li>Dates: March 16, March 23, March 30, and April 6</li><li>Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.</li>
 </ul>The Department of Health and Senior Services, says the program is completely free for all participants. However, registration is required to receive the Zoom link and course materials. To register, call Rachel Livesay at 816-324-3147 or <a href="https://pears.io/events/mu/4223/">online</a>.

MU Extension to host Dining with Diabetes: A Free Virtual Cooking Series

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa public schools would have to adopt student dress codes that promote personal hygiene, neatness and modesty under a bill that's cleared a House subcommittee. 

Republican Representative Samantha Fett of Carlisle says the bill sets minimum standards that establish the guardrails for students and the administrators who must enforce the rules. Representative Angel Ramirez, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids who works in a middle school, says requiring students to wear clothes that are clean and in good repair would impact poorer students. 

The bill would ban any gang-related attire and it says a student's clothes must adequately cover the body. Exposing undergarments or midriffs would be prohibited.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa public schools would have to adopt student dress codes that promote personal hygiene, neatness and modesty under a bill that's cleared a House subcommittee. Republican Representative Samantha Fett of Carlisle says the bill sets minimum standards that establish the guardrails for students and the administrators who must enforce the rules. Representative Angel Ramirez, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids who works in a middle school, says requiring students to wear clothes that are clean and in good repair would impact poorer students. The bill would ban any gang-related attire and it says a student's clothes must adequately cover the body. Exposing undergarments or midriffs would be prohibited.

Bill sets dress code rules for Iowa public schools

For almost four hours Tuesday, Cole County Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe heard arguments on what it means to turn in signatures for a referendum. Opponents of the redistricting plan said allowing it to take effect renders the right of referendum meaningless

A Missouri judge is being asked to decide which congressional district map — the one&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/12/missouri-senate-adjourns-early-after-passing-congressional-redistricting-map/">passed in 2022</a>&nbsp;or the one&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">passed last year</a>&nbsp;— will be in effect when candidates line up to file for office later this month.

For about four hours Tuesday, Cole County Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe listened to arguments over the meaning of&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++52(a)&amp;bid=31810&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional provisions</a>&nbsp;governing&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++52(b)&amp;bid=31811&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">citizen referendums</a>. He wanted to know why he was being asked to make a decision now about what happens when petitions are delivered when the deadline for determining if there are enough signatures to force a vote is months away.

The first important date on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/calendar/2026cal" target="_blank">this year’s election calendar</a>&nbsp;is the opening of candidate filing on Feb. 24, said Jonathan Hawley, an attorney representing the Jackson County residents who filed the lawsuit.&nbsp;

If the gerrymandered map passed last year by Republicans is used during candidate filing, he said, it will be difficult if not impossible to change when signature-checking is complete in July. That is just days before the Aug. 4 primary.

“If a law could take effect before the people have their say, it would make the referendum power meaningless,” Hawley said.

Attorneys for the state argued the earliest date a law can be suspended by an initiative is when the petitions have been found to include enough signatures to make the ballot.

“Do we assume that submitting an unverified petition and unverified signatures suspends a law passed by the people’s representatives?” asked Louis Capozzi, state solicitor general.

Stumpe asked attorneys to make their final filings by next Tuesday.

Redistricting has become the biggest political war in Missouri in decades. Republicans muscled a gerrymandered congressional map through the Legislature last year under&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/after-hearing-from-trump-missouri-gop-muscle-gerrymandered-map-forward-in-state-senate/">pressure from President Donald Trump</a>. The new plan carved up the 5th Congressional District, represented by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City since 2005, in an attempt to flip it to the GOP.

A political action committee, People Not Politicians, began gathering signatures to force a statewide vote and turned in more than 300,000 signatures on Dec. 9 to Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ office.

By then, several court cases were underway and more would follow, including the case that went to trial on Tuesday. Hoskins, going against a century of precedent, declared that the new law took effect Dec. 11 despite the submission of signatures.

For all past referendums, the filing of a petition with enough apparent signatures to make the ballot was all that was needed for a new law to be put on hold until the vote or the signatures count was verified. That is what happened in 2017 after a referendum petition challenging right to work was filed.

Stumpe noted the intensity of the political and legal fights when he asked the attorneys to restrain their rhetoric in court.

“This is an emotionally charged case,” he said. “This is a politically charged case.”

The key legal question Stumpe will have to resolve is whether delivering referendum signatures is enough to prevent a law from taking effect.

The Constitution says that when a law is referred to voters, it does not take effect until they approve it, Hawley said. The filing of the petition pages with an apparently sufficient number of signatures is enough to suspend the law.

Every decision made by Missouri courts on the referendum power, back to one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/state-v-carter-899764459" target="_blank">earliest decisions in 1914</a>, backs up that argument, he said.&nbsp;

“For the past 100 years, Missouri courts at all levels have safeguarded that right,” he said.

In the 1914 case, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that refusal by the secretary of state and the attorney general to do their duties “did not defeat the referendum so as to prevent the suspension of the act, since the constitutional provision for the referendum is self-executing.”

But the law in 1914 was that petitioners certified the signatures they gathered, Capozzi said. The law hasn’t been referred to voters until the signature verification process approved in 1980 is complete, he said.

The petition must have about 110,000 signatures representing 5% of the 2024 vote for governor in six of the state’s eight congressional districts.&nbsp;

A PAC called Put Missouri First intervened in the case to back up the state’s arguments. Marc Ellinger, attorney for the PAC, said it is unknown whether the petition will have enough signatures.

“Don’t jump to the conclusion that a box of papers stops a law in Missouri,” Ellinger said.

A referendum rests on three legs, Stumpe said: timely filing, legal form and sufficient signatures to make the ballot. He asked Hawley to explain why he should act while signatures are being checked.

“We have to presume the third leg of the stool or the referendum process falls apart,” Hawley said.

It is uncertain what Hoskins has done other than say the law is in effect. As part of the redistricting plan, Democratic voters in predominantly Black areas of Kansas City were shifted into the Republican 4th District and heavily Republican areas stretching along the Missouri River to Boone County were added to the remaining Kansas City portions.

In the map passed in 2022, Boone County was split between the 3rd and 4th districts.&nbsp;

Hoskins’ office has not delivered the information needed to reassign voters to new districts, Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said Tuesday in an interview with The Independent. Local election authorities cannot change voters to new districts until after the April election, she noted.

Hoskins’ office delivered 2,450 pages with signatures to Boone County.

“We’re almost done” with signature verification, Lennon said.

The case heard Tuesday, while directly about the date the new map takes effect, has side issues that include accusations that it was engineered by People Not Politicians.

After hearing arguments over demands by the state for more information, Stumpe denied the request.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765884385189.png" alt="&nbsp;Missouri Capitol Police officers conduct security checks on boxes of petition signatures submitted Dec. 9 to force a referendum vote on the state’s new congressional map.&nbsp; A Missouri judge will decide whether the gerrymandered map passed last year year is in effect for the 2026 midterm elections (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Missouri Capitol Police officers conduct security checks on boxes of petition signatures submitted Dec. 9 to force a referendum vote on the state’s new congressional map.&nbsp; A Missouri judge will decide whether the gerrymandered map passed last year year is in effect for the 2026 midterm elections (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>For almost four hours Tuesday, Cole County Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe heard arguments on what it means to turn in signatures for a referendum. Opponents of the redistricting plan said allowing it to take effect renders the right of referendum meaningless</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>A Missouri judge is being asked to decide which congressional district map — the one&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/12/missouri-senate-adjourns-early-after-passing-congressional-redistricting-map/">passed in 2022</a>&nbsp;or the one&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">passed last year</a>&nbsp;— will be in effect when candidates line up to file for office later this month.For about four hours Tuesday, Cole County Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe listened to arguments over the meaning of&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++52(a)&amp;bid=31810&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional provisions</a>&nbsp;governing&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++52(b)&amp;bid=31811&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">citizen referendums</a>. He wanted to know why he was being asked to make a decision now about what happens when petitions are delivered when the deadline for determining if there are enough signatures to force a vote is months away.The first important date on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/calendar/2026cal" target="_blank">this year’s election calendar</a>&nbsp;is the opening of candidate filing on Feb. 24, said Jonathan Hawley, an attorney representing the Jackson County residents who filed the lawsuit.&nbsp;If the gerrymandered map passed last year by Republicans is used during candidate filing, he said, it will be difficult if not impossible to change when signature-checking is complete in July. That is just days before the Aug. 4 primary.“If a law could take effect before the people have their say, it would make the referendum power meaningless,” Hawley said.Attorneys for the state argued the earliest date a law can be suspended by an initiative is when the petitions have been found to include enough signatures to make the ballot.“Do we assume that submitting an unverified petition and unverified signatures suspends a law passed by the people’s representatives?” asked Louis Capozzi, state solicitor general.Stumpe asked attorneys to make their final filings by next Tuesday.Redistricting has become the biggest political war in Missouri in decades. Republicans muscled a gerrymandered congressional map through the Legislature last year under&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/10/after-hearing-from-trump-missouri-gop-muscle-gerrymandered-map-forward-in-state-senate/">pressure from President Donald Trump</a>. The new plan carved up the 5th Congressional District, represented by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City since 2005, in an attempt to flip it to the GOP.A political action committee, People Not Politicians, began gathering signatures to force a statewide vote and turned in more than 300,000 signatures on Dec. 9 to Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ office.By then, several court cases were underway and more would follow, including the case that went to trial on Tuesday. Hoskins, going against a century of precedent, declared that the new law took effect Dec. 11 despite the submission of signatures.For all past referendums, the filing of a petition with enough apparent signatures to make the ballot was all that was needed for a new law to be put on hold until the vote or the signatures count was verified. That is what happened in 2017 after a referendum petition challenging right to work was filed.Stumpe noted the intensity of the political and legal fights when he asked the attorneys to restrain their rhetoric in court.“This is an emotionally charged case,” he said. “This is a politically charged case.”The key legal question Stumpe will have to resolve is whether delivering referendum signatures is enough to prevent a law from taking effect.The Constitution says that when a law is referred to voters, it does not take effect until they approve it, Hawley said. The filing of the petition pages with an apparently sufficient number of signatures is enough to suspend the law.Every decision made by Missouri courts on the referendum power, back to one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/state-v-carter-899764459" target="_blank">earliest decisions in 1914</a>, backs up that argument, he said.&nbsp;“For the past 100 years, Missouri courts at all levels have safeguarded that right,” he said.In the 1914 case, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that refusal by the secretary of state and the attorney general to do their duties “did not defeat the referendum so as to prevent the suspension of the act, since the constitutional provision for the referendum is self-executing.”But the law in 1914 was that petitioners certified the signatures they gathered, Capozzi said. The law hasn’t been referred to voters until the signature verification process approved in 1980 is complete, he said.The petition must have about 110,000 signatures representing 5% of the 2024 vote for governor in six of the state’s eight congressional districts.&nbsp;A PAC called Put Missouri First intervened in the case to back up the state’s arguments. Marc Ellinger, attorney for the PAC, said it is unknown whether the petition will have enough signatures.“Don’t jump to the conclusion that a box of papers stops a law in Missouri,” Ellinger said.A referendum rests on three legs, Stumpe said: timely filing, legal form and sufficient signatures to make the ballot. He asked Hawley to explain why he should act while signatures are being checked.“We have to presume the third leg of the stool or the referendum process falls apart,” Hawley said.It is uncertain what Hoskins has done other than say the law is in effect. As part of the redistricting plan, Democratic voters in predominantly Black areas of Kansas City were shifted into the Republican 4th District and heavily Republican areas stretching along the Missouri River to Boone County were added to the remaining Kansas City portions.In the map passed in 2022, Boone County was split between the 3rd and 4th districts.&nbsp;Hoskins’ office has not delivered the information needed to reassign voters to new districts, Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said Tuesday in an interview with The Independent. Local election authorities cannot change voters to new districts until after the April election, she noted.Hoskins’ office delivered 2,450 pages with signatures to Boone County.“We’re almost done” with signature verification, Lennon said.The case heard Tuesday, while directly about the date the new map takes effect, has side issues that include accusations that it was engineered by People Not Politicians.After hearing arguments over demands by the state for more information, Stumpe denied the request.

Judge to decide whether Missouri’s gerrymandered congressional map is in effect

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged assault.

Just after 8:30p.m. February 7, police&nbsp;responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1400 block Santa Fe Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. An investigation determined that a disturbance had occurred around 10p.m. on Thursday night involving three people who reside together at the residence. 

During the disturbance 63-year-old Nena Dempsey had threatened the other two residents with a handgun and subsequently locked the two, a 56-year-old man and 66-year-old woman, in a bedroom where they remained throughout the night. Dempsey is also charged with striking the 66-year-old woman in the face multiple times on Friday morning.

Police arrested Dempsey on requested charges of aggravated assault, criminal restraint, and battery and booked her into the county jail. She remains in custody on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770604787690.png" alt="Dempsy-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Dempsy-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged assault.Just after 8:30p.m. February 7, police&nbsp;responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1400 block Santa Fe Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. An investigation determined that a disturbance had occurred around 10p.m. on Thursday night involving three people who reside together at the residence. During the disturbance 63-year-old Nena Dempsey had threatened the other two residents with a handgun and subsequently locked the two, a 56-year-old man and 66-year-old woman, in a bedroom where they remained throughout the night. Dempsey is also charged with striking the 66-year-old woman in the face multiple times on Friday morning.Police arrested Dempsey on requested charges of aggravated assault, criminal restraint, and battery and booked her into the county jail. She remains in custody on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Kan. woman accused of violent attack on roommates

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, in partnership with the American Legion, is officially accepting applications for the 54th Cadet Patrol Academy. 

The joint program is seeking motivated young men and women, ages 16 to 18, to participate in the upcoming 2026 class.

The week-long academy is scheduled to begin on June 7. This immersive experience is designed to provide students with hands-on insight into the world of law enforcement. Throughout the week, cadets will mirror the daily routines and rigorous training of actual Patrol recruits, allowing them to explore various career paths within the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The program will conclude with a formal graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12.

To be considered for the academy, interested students must meet the following criteria:

Prospective cadets can find applications through the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.missourilegion.org/">Missouri Legion website</a> or by visiting their local American Legion Post. For specific questions regarding the academy, contact Corporal Michael Halim at 573-522-7650.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756140209330.png" alt="MSHP" />
 <figcaption>MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe Missouri State Highway Patrol, in partnership with the American Legion, is officially accepting applications for the 54th Cadet Patrol Academy. The joint program is seeking motivated young men and women, ages 16 to 18, to participate in the upcoming 2026 class.The week-long academy is scheduled to begin on June 7. This immersive experience is designed to provide students with hands-on insight into the world of law enforcement. Throughout the week, cadets will mirror the daily routines and rigorous training of actual Patrol recruits, allowing them to explore various career paths within the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The program will conclude with a formal graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12.To be considered for the academy, interested students must meet the following criteria:<ul>
 <li>Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.</li><li>Be of good moral character.</li><li>Possess a valid driver’s license or permit.</li><li>Be at least 16 years old by April 1, 2026.</li><li>Demonstrate a sincere interest in pursuing a career within the Criminal Justice System.</li>
 </ul>Prospective cadets can find applications through the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.missourilegion.org/">Missouri Legion website</a> or by visiting their local American Legion Post. For specific questions regarding the academy, contact Corporal Michael Halim at 573-522-7650.

Applications for the American Legion Cadet Patrol Academy are now open

The Route E bridge over West Honey Creek, located southeast of Princeton, is scheduled to close for a total replacement beginning Monday, Feb. 23.

Part of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) Northwest Bridge Bundle project, the bridge is expected to remain closed through July 2026. Local motorists are advised to plan alternate routes for the duration of the construction.

The existing West Honey Creek Bridge was constructed in 1932 and currently serves roughly 294 vehicles daily. Its replacement is one of 31 aging structures across north central Missouri identified for replacement or rehabilitation under the "poor-condition" designation.

“The Northwest Bridge Bundle is a Design-Build project which will replace or rehabilitate 31 poor-condition bridges,” said MoDOT Project Manager Michael Marriott.

In December 2023, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded the contract to the Capital – Horner &amp; Shifrin team. Unlike traditional methods, the Design-Build delivery system uses a single contracting team to handle both the design and construction phases.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766522483065.jpeg" alt="Road Closed Sign" />
 <figcaption>Road Closed Sign</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe Route E bridge over West Honey Creek, located southeast of Princeton, is scheduled to close for a total replacement beginning Monday, Feb. 23.Part of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) Northwest Bridge Bundle project, the bridge is expected to remain closed through July 2026. Local motorists are advised to plan alternate routes for the duration of the construction.The existing West Honey Creek Bridge was constructed in 1932 and currently serves roughly 294 vehicles daily. Its replacement is one of 31 aging structures across north central Missouri identified for replacement or rehabilitation under the "poor-condition" designation.“The Northwest Bridge Bundle is a Design-Build project which will replace or rehabilitate 31 poor-condition bridges,” said MoDOT Project Manager Michael Marriott.In December 2023, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded the contract to the Capital – Horner &amp; Shifrin team. Unlike traditional methods, the Design-Build delivery system uses a single contracting team to handle both the design and construction phases.

MoDOT to close Route E Bridge in Mercer County for replacement

A Tarkio man, 36-year old Dustin Scott Watson, has been arrested on charges including statutory rape and child molestation in Atchison County. 

The arrest follows an investigation by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from other law enforcement agencies. 

Watson faces multiple felony charges related to possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently held at the Atchison County Jail without bond, and the investigation is ongoing.

He has a previous conviction for sex crimes involving a minors in 2010, according to the sex offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770757009921.png" alt="Watson -photo Mo. Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Watson -photo Mo. Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>A Tarkio man, 36-year old Dustin Scott Watson, has been arrested on charges including statutory rape and child molestation in Atchison County. The arrest follows an investigation by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from other law enforcement agencies. Watson faces multiple felony charges related to possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently held at the Atchison County Jail without bond, and the investigation is ongoing.He has a previous conviction for sex crimes involving a minors in 2010, according to the sex offender registry.

Tarkio man arrested on sexual exploitation and child molestation charges

ATCHISON COUNTY— A Missouri teen and a Kansas driver avoided injury after an accident that occurred just after 4p.m. Monday in Atchison.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2023 Ford Explorer driven by Ronald Dorssom, 83, Atchison, was northbound on 6th Street at U.S. 59. The driver stopped at the stop sign. A 2019 Kenworth semi driven by Kyler Noland, 17, Oregon Missouri who had been westbound on U.S.59 and was turning south onto 6th Street struck the SUV.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770735746230.jpeg" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY— A Missouri teen and a Kansas driver avoided injury after an accident that occurred just after 4p.m. Monday in Atchison.According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2023 Ford Explorer driven by Ronald Dorssom, 83, Atchison, was northbound on 6th Street at U.S. 59. The driver stopped at the stop sign. A 2019 Kenworth semi driven by Kyler Noland, 17, Oregon Missouri who had been westbound on U.S.59 and was turning south onto 6th Street struck the SUV.&nbsp;&nbsp;The drivers were not injured.

Mo. teen avoids injury after SUV, semi crash

Theatre Northwest opens its spring season this month with a double feature of student-directed plays that explore the complexities of love, loss, and superheroes.

The productions, which are part of the Second Stage Repertory series, offer a distinctively live experience that student-director Korbin Horton believes cannot be replicated on screen.

“Seeing people move, talk and feel live is unlike anything you can experience watching a movie or a TV show,” Horton said. “At Theatre Northwest, we tell stories that are meaningful and entertaining for all audiences, whether you’ve seen countless plays or this is your first one.”

The season begins with “Treehouse,” written by Joe Musso and directed by Remington Carter, a junior speech and theatre education major. The play centers on 17-year-old Johnny, who claims to possess the mind of a 53-year-old while navigating the typical hurdles of adolescence and heartbreak.

Carter noted that the play’s core message—centered on what the protagonist calls "the eternal summer that shall not fade"—serves as a reminder to cherish the present.

“It’s important just to appreciate those things, find the meaning in your life and appreciate it while it’s still there,” Carter said.

Shifting gears from drama to comedy, the weekend continues with Adam Szymkowicz’s “Hearts Like Fists.” Directed by Horton, the superhero noir follows a group called the Crimestoppers as they attempt to foil the villainous Dr. X, who targets lovers with lethal poison.

Horton chose the play for its ability to mask deep, relatable themes with high-energy action.

“Behind all of the weird, silly, fun stuff that’s happening, there are actual, real themes and messages that people can apply to their everyday lives,” Horton said.

As part of the Second Stage Repertory, every aspect of these productions—from acting and directing to set design—is handled by students. For speech and theatre education majors, the experience is a graduation requirement that builds professional camaraderie.

“Having that opportunity allows you to build a connection with other peers,” Carter said. “That’s been super helpful in my time here at Northwest.”

Ticket Information:
Tickets for both shows are $7.00 and can be purchased online at the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nwmissouri.edu/finearts/theatre/">Northwest Fine Arts website</a> or at the box office one hour before curtain.

The Theatre Northwest season will conclude later this spring with “The Squirrels,” running April 9–12.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759431291872.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHTheatre Northwest opens its spring season this month with a double feature of student-directed plays that explore the complexities of love, loss, and superheroes.The productions, which are part of the Second Stage Repertory series, offer a distinctively live experience that student-director Korbin Horton believes cannot be replicated on screen.“Seeing people move, talk and feel live is unlike anything you can experience watching a movie or a TV show,” Horton said. “At Theatre Northwest, we tell stories that are meaningful and entertaining for all audiences, whether you’ve seen countless plays or this is your first one.”The season begins with “Treehouse,” written by Joe Musso and directed by Remington Carter, a junior speech and theatre education major. The play centers on 17-year-old Johnny, who claims to possess the mind of a 53-year-old while navigating the typical hurdles of adolescence and heartbreak.Carter noted that the play’s core message—centered on what the protagonist calls "the eternal summer that shall not fade"—serves as a reminder to cherish the present.“It’s important just to appreciate those things, find the meaning in your life and appreciate it while it’s still there,” Carter said.<ul>
 <li>When: Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.</li><li>Where: Studio Theater, Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.</li>
 </ul>Shifting gears from drama to comedy, the weekend continues with Adam Szymkowicz’s “Hearts Like Fists.” Directed by Horton, the superhero noir follows a group called the Crimestoppers as they attempt to foil the villainous Dr. X, who targets lovers with lethal poison.Horton chose the play for its ability to mask deep, relatable themes with high-energy action.“Behind all of the weird, silly, fun stuff that’s happening, there are actual, real themes and messages that people can apply to their everyday lives,” Horton said.<ul>
 <li>When: Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.</li><li>Where: Studio Theater, Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.</li>
 </ul>As part of the Second Stage Repertory, every aspect of these productions—from acting and directing to set design—is handled by students. For speech and theatre education majors, the experience is a graduation requirement that builds professional camaraderie.“Having that opportunity allows you to build a connection with other peers,” Carter said. “That’s been super helpful in my time here at Northwest.”Ticket Information:
Tickets for both shows are $7.00 and can be purchased online at the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nwmissouri.edu/finearts/theatre/">Northwest Fine Arts website</a> or at the box office one hour before curtain.The Theatre Northwest season will conclude later this spring with “The Squirrels,” running April 9–12.

Student-led productions kick off spring season at Theatre Northwest

(Radio Iowa) - An Iowa Senate subcommittee has advanced a bill supporters say would prevent abortion pills from being mailed into Iowa by requiring an in-person visit to an Iowa physician before abortion pills can be prescribed to Iowans. 

Pulse Life Advocates executive director Maggie DeWitte says the bill helps ensure the safety of women who are ingesting this drug. Medical groups say the bill requires doctors prescribing abortion pills to share inaccurate information about abortion reversal drugs. Dr. Teresa Fuller, who works at clinics in Perry and Dallas Center, says that forces her to lie to patients. 

Advocates for the bill say some medication abortions have been reversed and patients should be informed of all their options.

(Radio Iowa) - An Iowa Senate subcommittee has advanced a bill supporters say would prevent abortion pills from being mailed into Iowa by requiring an in-person visit to an Iowa physician before abortion pills can be prescribed to Iowans. Pulse Life Advocates executive director Maggie DeWitte says the bill helps ensure the safety of women who are ingesting this drug. Medical groups say the bill requires doctors prescribing abortion pills to share inaccurate information about abortion reversal drugs. Dr. Teresa Fuller, who works at clinics in Perry and Dallas Center, says that forces her to lie to patients. Advocates for the bill say some medication abortions have been reversed and patients should be informed of all their options.

Bill targets abortion pills being mailed into Iowa

MERCER COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Monday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford F150 driven by a 36-year-old Bethany man was northbound on Egret Avenue four miles east of Cainsville. The driver's vision was obstructed by the dust on the gravel road. The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The pickup traveled off the road, struck a large tree and continued into a field.&nbsp;

North Missouri Ambulance transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

MERCER COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Monday in Mercer County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford F150 driven by a 36-year-old Bethany man was northbound on Egret Avenue four miles east of Cainsville. The driver's vision was obstructed by the dust on the gravel road. The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The pickup traveled off the road, struck a large tree and continued into a field.&nbsp;North Missouri Ambulance transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man hospitalized after pickup strikes a large tree

TOPEKA, KS —&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has launched a new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F1508%2FTravel-Health%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019c4318bcb6-f601b292-46cf-49a3-85ba-85445102d085-000000/sTGs7rrfv0GwWPFNaZ_7XHyT4TSHQETWeZBp2zIaWEY=443">Travel &amp; Health webpage</a>&nbsp;to provide healthcare and public health partners with educational and clinical resources ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM. This highly anticipated event is expected to bring increased domestic and international travel to the Kansas City metro area.

Higher travel volumes and mass gatherings increase the potential for the spread of infectious diseases, including conditions rarely seen in Kansas. Healthcare providers are encouraged to routinely “Think Travel History” when evaluating patients.

“With the World Cup approaching, early recognition starts with asking about travel,”&nbsp;KDHE Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ashley Goss said.&nbsp;“This new webpage gives providers a central resource to quickly access guidance and stay prepared for travel-related disease risks.”

The new Travel &amp; Health webpage includes:

In the upcoming weeks, new resources will continue to be added. These will include additional training webinars, a clinical support dashboard which will allow clinicians to search for outbreaks and endemic diseases by country, and a Kansas specific dashboard which will track emergency department visits and wastewater surveillance data.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683988779686.jpg" alt="Image Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KS —&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has launched a new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F1508%2FTravel-Health%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019c4318bcb6-f601b292-46cf-49a3-85ba-85445102d085-000000/sTGs7rrfv0GwWPFNaZ_7XHyT4TSHQETWeZBp2zIaWEY=443">Travel &amp; Health webpage</a>&nbsp;to provide healthcare and public health partners with educational and clinical resources ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM. This highly anticipated event is expected to bring increased domestic and international travel to the Kansas City metro area.Higher travel volumes and mass gatherings increase the potential for the spread of infectious diseases, including conditions rarely seen in Kansas. Healthcare providers are encouraged to routinely “Think Travel History” when evaluating patients.“With the World Cup approaching, early recognition starts with asking about travel,”&nbsp;KDHE Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ashley Goss said.&nbsp;“This new webpage gives providers a central resource to quickly access guidance and stay prepared for travel-related disease risks.”The new Travel &amp; Health webpage includes:<ul>
 <li>Current travel health notices.</li><li>Disease-specific reporting and testing information.</li><li>Infection Prevention and Control resources for healthcare facilities.</li><li>Provider training webinars on domestic and international infectious diseases.</li>
 </ul>In the upcoming weeks, new resources will continue to be added. These will include additional training webinars, a clinical support dashboard which will allow clinicians to search for outbreaks and endemic diseases by country, and a Kansas specific dashboard which will track emergency department visits and wastewater surveillance data.

KDHE launches Travel & Health webpage ahead of FIFA World Cup 

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a weekend arrest.&nbsp;

On Sunday morning, Horton police notified police in Atchison that a suspect wanted on an outstanding Brown County warrant was at a residence in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Police officers located 29-year-old Thomas Pahmahmie at a residence in the 500 block Park Street and he was taken into custody on a Brown County warrant for aggravated kidnapping, attempted murder in the second degree, aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery, and criminal threat.&nbsp; Pahmahmie has previous convictions for aggravated battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770646350849.png" alt="Pahmahmie photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Pahmahmie photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a weekend arrest.&nbsp;On Sunday morning, Horton police notified police in Atchison that a suspect wanted on an outstanding Brown County warrant was at a residence in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Police officers located 29-year-old Thomas Pahmahmie at a residence in the 500 block Park Street and he was taken into custody on a Brown County warrant for aggravated kidnapping, attempted murder in the second degree, aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery, and criminal threat.&nbsp; Pahmahmie has previous convictions for aggravated battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon jailed for alleged kidnapping, attempted murder

Here is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of Feb. 9 - 15.

Route C – Utility work at County Road 190, Feb. 4-13.

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. Traffic will be detoured onto I-229.

Gene Field Road Bridge –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;due to damage from being struck by an oversized load. The project was awarded to Clarkson Construction Company.&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;

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 K –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route U to NW Prairie View Road, Feb. 11, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Route BB –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route TT to Vow Avenue, Feb. 9, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Route BB –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement at 110th Street, Feb. 10, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

I-29 – Bridge maintenance southbound at the 86.6 mile marker, Feb. 9-13.

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 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Locust Creek Bridge 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 mid-February 2026.

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

<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 Missouri region for the week of Feb. 9 - 15.Andrew CountyRoute C – Utility work at County Road 190, Feb. 4-13.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. Traffic will be detoured onto I-229.Gene Field Road Bridge –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;due to damage from being struck by an oversized load. The project was awarded to Clarkson Construction Company.&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;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.Clinton CountyRoute K –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route U to NW Prairie View Road, Feb. 11, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.Daviess CountyRoute BB –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route TT to Vow Avenue, Feb. 9, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Route BB –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement at 110th Street, Feb. 10, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Holt CountyI-29 – Bridge maintenance southbound at the 86.6 mile marker, Feb. 9-13.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 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 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 mid-February 2026.There may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below. MoDOT says inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work.

Planned roadwork for Northwest Missouri, Feb. 9 - 15

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/sawyerbess/">Sawyer Bess</a>

A bill that would lower the minimum wage for minors was pitched by its sponsor last week as a way to help small businesses and young workers.

The legislation would create a separate minimum wage for those under age 18 who are employed in Missouri. The new minimum wage rate for minors would be $12.30 per hour, down from the state rate of $15 per hour.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Joe Nicola, a Republican from Grain Valley, is aiming to protect both small businesses and teen workers, as he has seen a decrease of teen employment in his district.

“Labor is often the single largest expense when wages rise too quickly,” Nicola said. “Owners are forced to make hard choices, reduce hours, raise prices, automate jobs like installing kiosks instead of having teens employed or stop hiring inexperienced workers altogether.”

Missouri’s minimum wage has nearly doubled in the past decade, increasing from $7.65 in 2016 to $15 in 2026.

Nicola said the bill takes into account that entry-level jobs are “fundamentally different” from adult employment and that Missouri’s wage laws should remain fair.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770645770907.png" alt="State Sen. Joe Nicola laughs during his introduction to the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Joe Nicola laughs during his introduction to the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/sawyerbess/">Sawyer Bess</a>A bill that would lower the minimum wage for minors was pitched by its sponsor last week as a way to help small businesses and young workers.The legislation would create a separate minimum wage for those under age 18 who are employed in Missouri. The new minimum wage rate for minors would be $12.30 per hour, down from the state rate of $15 per hour.The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Joe Nicola, a Republican from Grain Valley, is aiming to protect both small businesses and teen workers, as he has seen a decrease of teen employment in his district.“Labor is often the single largest expense when wages rise too quickly,” Nicola said. “Owners are forced to make hard choices, reduce hours, raise prices, automate jobs like installing kiosks instead of having teens employed or stop hiring inexperienced workers altogether.”Missouri’s minimum wage has nearly doubled in the past decade, increasing from $7.65 in 2016 to $15 in 2026.Nicola said the bill takes into account that entry-level jobs are “fundamentally different” from adult employment and that Missouri’s wage laws should remain fair.“These are entry level positions that require training, supervision, patience from employers,” Nicola said.David Overfelt, president of the Missouri Retailers Association, and Dan Shaul, the executive state director for the Missouri Grocers Association and president of Midwest Retail and Grocery Alliance spoke in support of the bill.Those opposed said age discrimination should not be legislated in Missouri and that some families rely on teenagers’ wages.A member of the public testified that, when he was a youth worker, his family depended on his paycheck after the death of his father. He found it insulting to say that lower wages would be in his best interest.Jake Hummel, president of Missouri AFL-CIO, said the bill would be creating a two-tiered system. The lower wage would also make it harder for teens to afford the costs of living given they already face higher car insurance prices.Hummel said that Missouri’s relatively high minimum wage attracts out-of-state employees.“I’m kind of excited to hear that the citizens of Kansas are coming over for employment in the state of Missouri to pay taxes here in the state,” Hummel said. “And last I checked, we were trying to attract workers to Missouri, not do the opposite.”Nicola rebutted by saying that the out-of-state minors would be working jobs that Missouri minors could instead have.This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/bill-would-lower-minimum-wage-for-minors-in-missouri/article_b7a00aa6-da28-4a1c-b8cb-e2842dc84b1e.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;