ANDREW COUNTY —A St. Joseph man was injured in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Saturday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Lexus GX460 driven by a 48-year-old St. Joseph man was westbound on Route E three miles east of Savannah. The SUV struck a deer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Andrew County EMS transported a 47-year-old male passenger to Mosaic Life Care. Th edriver was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —A St. Joseph man was injured in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Saturday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Lexus GX460 driven by a 48-year-old St. Joseph man was westbound on Route E three miles east of Savannah. The SUV struck a deer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Andrew County EMS transported a 47-year-old male passenger to Mosaic Life Care. Th edriver was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

St. Joseph man injured after SUV strikes a deer

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement in northeast Kansas are investigating another scam.

In the midst of everything else, we now have a Border Patrol scam circulating our county, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

 Residents are receiving calls from men with heavy foreign accents&nbsp; claiming to be Border Patrol Agents.&nbsp; They inform the residents&nbsp; that there is an active warrant for their arrest and a $500 bond must be posted over the phone or they will come to their home and arrest the resident immediately.&nbsp; 

According to those reporting the alleged crime,&nbsp; the callers are very rude, pushy and insistent that they must be paid or else. Caller ID's showed a restricted number. One person stated that they had never been in trouble in their&nbsp; life, and it alarmed them that they were threatened to be arrested.

Sheriff Merchant explained that this was a scare tactic that scammers use in order to extort money from honest, hard working people.

Merchant assured everyone that Border Patrol does not work this way and you will not be arrested. He advised anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately.&nbsp; If you have any questions or concerns, notify your local law enforcement at once.

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement in northeast Kansas are investigating another scam.In the midst of everything else, we now have a Border Patrol scam circulating our county, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant. Residents are receiving calls from men with heavy foreign accents&nbsp; claiming to be Border Patrol Agents.&nbsp; They inform the residents&nbsp; that there is an active warrant for their arrest and a $500 bond must be posted over the phone or they will come to their home and arrest the resident immediately.&nbsp; According to those reporting the alleged crime,&nbsp; the callers are very rude, pushy and insistent that they must be paid or else. Caller ID's showed a restricted number. One person stated that they had never been in trouble in their&nbsp; life, and it alarmed them that they were threatened to be arrested.Sheriff Merchant explained that this was a scare tactic that scammers use in order to extort money from honest, hard working people.Merchant assured everyone that Border Patrol does not work this way and you will not be arrested. He advised anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately.&nbsp; If you have any questions or concerns, notify your local law enforcement at once.

Sheriff reports alleged Border Patrol scam

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Friday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;2025 Vitacci moped driven by a 45-year-old Plattsburg man was northbound on Town and Country Drive at Brandy Wine Court in Plattsburg. The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road and overturned.

Tri-County Ambulance transported the driver to Liberty Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Friday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;2025 Vitacci moped driven by a 45-year-old Plattsburg man was northbound on Town and Country Drive at Brandy Wine Court in Plattsburg. The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road and overturned.Tri-County Ambulance transported the driver to Liberty Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man injured in moped accident

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/SECOND%20REVISED%20SUMMARY%20STATEMENT%20FOR%20HJR%2073.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3687540" target="_blank">latest version</a>&nbsp;of ballot language for a proposed abortion ban states the amendment would repeal a 2024 amendment after a Cole County judge said he had to be more specific.

The portion revised under court order now reads:

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

The previous ballot language used the word “amend” rather than “repeal.”

On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Daniel Green said that Hoskins’ first attempt was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-judge-orders-revised-ballot-language-repeal-abortion-rights/">“insufficient and unfair”&nbsp;</a>because it didn’t make clear that a current constitutional amendment would be repealed. Hoskins was charged with rewriting the ballot language after Green ordered that the initial wording by lawmakers also did not alert voters that<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">&nbsp;it would repeal the voter-approved amendment.</a>

Like the previous attempt, the language does not explicitly state what is in the section of the constitution to be repealed. That was a key point in the arguments filed over the first effort, with opponents of the amendment saying the ballot language should say it would reinstate a ban on most abortions and attorneys for Hoskins telling Green voters could easily look it up if they wanted to know more.

The<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">&nbsp;proposed amendment drafted by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;will appear before voters in November 2026, two years after<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">&nbsp;Missourians codified the right to reproductive health care&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp;including abortions up until fetal viability —&nbsp;in the state constitution.

Green previously ruled that the remaining bullet points are now acceptable. Hoskins did not make any changes to the summaries, which read:&nbsp;

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

Under a new law enacted this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld in a separate case by Green</a>, Hoskins has three attempts to submit ballot language that satisfies the court. If after that, Green still finds the language insufficient, the judge will rewrite it himself.

Hoskins was also responsible for writing the fair ballot statement that appears in polling places and on the office’s website that summarize what both a “yes” and “no” vote mean.

Green previously told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hoskins’ latest ballot statement makes just one change by again swapping “amend” out for “repeal.”

This latest summary also states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages, and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, in part, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.

Prior to the passage of the 2024 abortion rights amendment, nearly all abortions were illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies. The new proposed ban would broader access slightly to also allow abortions for survivors or rape or incest up to 12 weeks gestation, though it’s not yet clear if or how a survivor would need to prove the assault in order to receive medical care.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756640213263.png" alt="Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins attends a Missouri Right to Life rally in March in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins attends a Missouri Right to Life rally in March in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/SECOND%20REVISED%20SUMMARY%20STATEMENT%20FOR%20HJR%2073.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3687540" target="_blank">latest version</a>&nbsp;of ballot language for a proposed abortion ban states the amendment would repeal a 2024 amendment after a Cole County judge said he had to be more specific.The portion revised under court order now reads:“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:<ul>
 <li>Repeal Article I, section 36, approved in 2024; allow abortions for medical&nbsp;emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, and incest;’</li>
 </ul>The previous ballot language used the word “amend” rather than “repeal.”On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Daniel Green said that Hoskins’ first attempt was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-judge-orders-revised-ballot-language-repeal-abortion-rights/">“insufficient and unfair”&nbsp;</a>because it didn’t make clear that a current constitutional amendment would be repealed. Hoskins was charged with rewriting the ballot language after Green ordered that the initial wording by lawmakers also did not alert voters that<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">&nbsp;it would repeal the voter-approved amendment.</a>Like the previous attempt, the language does not explicitly state what is in the section of the constitution to be repealed. That was a key point in the arguments filed over the first effort, with opponents of the amendment saying the ballot language should say it would reinstate a ban on most abortions and attorneys for Hoskins telling Green voters could easily look it up if they wanted to know more.The<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">&nbsp;proposed amendment drafted by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;will appear before voters in November 2026, two years after<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">&nbsp;Missourians codified the right to reproductive health care&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp;including abortions up until fetal viability —&nbsp;in the state constitution.Green previously ruled that the remaining bullet points are now acceptable. Hoskins did not make any changes to the summaries, which read:&nbsp;“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:<ul>
 <li>Guarantee women’s medical care for emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages;&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure women’s safety during abortions;&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure parental consent for minors;&nbsp;</li><li>and Prohibit sex-change procedures for children?”</li>
 </ul>Under a new law enacted this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld in a separate case by Green</a>, Hoskins has three attempts to submit ballot language that satisfies the court. If after that, Green still finds the language insufficient, the judge will rewrite it himself.Hoskins was also responsible for writing the fair ballot statement that appears in polling places and on the office’s website that summarize what both a “yes” and “no” vote mean.Green previously told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hoskins’ latest ballot statement makes just one change by again swapping “amend” out for “repeal.”This latest summary also states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages, and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, in part, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.Prior to the passage of the 2024 abortion rights amendment, nearly all abortions were illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies. The new proposed ban would broader access slightly to also allow abortions for survivors or rape or incest up to 12 weeks gestation, though it’s not yet clear if or how a survivor would need to prove the assault in order to receive medical care.

Missouri secretary of state submits second attempt at abortion ban ballot language

CLINTON COUNTY—Five people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Thursday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Honda CRV driven by a 59-year-old Jefferson City woman was eastbound on MO 116 at U.S. 169 three miles south of Gower.&nbsp; The driver ran the stop sign. The Honda struck a southbound 2023 Ford Mustang driven by a 32-year-old Smithville woman. After impact the Mustang struck a northbound 2024 Chevy Traverse driven by a 61-year-old Kansas City, Missouri woman.

Buchanan County EMS transported the Mustang driver and a 13-year-old passenger in her vehicle to North Kansas City hospital. Tri-County Ambulance transported the Honda driver, the Chevy driver and a 63-year-old passenger in her SUV to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

CLINTON COUNTY—Five people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Thursday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Honda CRV driven by a 59-year-old Jefferson City woman was eastbound on MO 116 at U.S. 169 three miles south of Gower.&nbsp; The driver ran the stop sign. The Honda struck a southbound 2023 Ford Mustang driven by a 32-year-old Smithville woman. After impact the Mustang struck a northbound 2024 Chevy Traverse driven by a 61-year-old Kansas City, Missouri woman.Buchanan County EMS transported the Mustang driver and a 13-year-old passenger in her vehicle to North Kansas City hospital. Tri-County Ambulance transported the Honda driver, the Chevy driver and a 63-year-old passenger in her SUV to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

4 adults, 13-year-old hospitalized after 3-vehicle crash

State Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck says Gov. Kehoe should not have authorized a deployment just hours before the federal shutdown

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

Gov. Mike Kehoe’s decision to deploy Missouri National Guard soldiers to support immigration enforcement “makes no sense” because they will not get paid until the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/30/repub/midnight-federal-shutdown-edges-closer-as-us-senate-fails-to-agree-on-spending-bills/">federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;is resolved, the state Senate’s Democratic leader said Thursday.

On Tuesday, Kehoe announced that soldiers from the Guard would, on a volunteer basis, be assigned to provide administrative, clerical and logistical support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities in the state.

The shutdown started a few hours after Kehoe announced the deployment.

“Everybody knew that was coming, and to me that makes no sense,” Beck said.

Spokeswoman Gabby Picard said that there will be up to 15 soldiers on duty at any particular time until authorization ends on Sept. 30, 2026.&nbsp;

ICE continues to work while most of the government is shut down because the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/03/repub/breaking-us-house-passes-massive-tax-break-and-spending-cut-bill-sending-it-to-trump/">budget bill approved in July</a>&nbsp;funded the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/what-government-shutdown-2025-means-immigration-system/" target="_blank">with $29.9 billion for enforcement</a>&nbsp;and $5 billion for detention through September 2029.

When on federal deployment, members of the Guard are paid on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/2025ACPayDay/" target="_blank">same schedule</a>&nbsp;as active-duty personnel, with the next pay date being Oct. 15. No active duty military will receive pay until the shutdown is resolved.

The Tuesday news release said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved assigning Guard personnel to ICE facilities on July 25, allowing them to be paid from the federal treasury.&nbsp;

“The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts,” Kehoe said in a news release.

While all the soldiers taking on the duty are doing so as volunteers, they expected to get paid, Beck said.

“I’m sure, when they did this, they didn’t know that they’d be doing it possibly for free for a while,” Beck said. “I’m assuming they’ll be made whole at some point, but I’m sure they got bills just like everybody else.”

In response to Beck’s criticism, Picard said the decision to assist ICE wasn’t made hastily.

“Planning for this activation has been ongoing for weeks, and has nothing to do with the unfortunate political games of the Democrats in Washington that have caused a government shutdown,” Picard said.

The deployment has also drawn criticism from labor unions and the ACLU..

Lenny Jones, vice president and state director at the Service Employees International Union-Healthcare, said in a news release that the deployment is part of an increasingly authoritarian government.

“This is just another power grab used to silence and intimidate people who disagree with the administration’s anti-American policies,” Jones said.The ACLU said the deployment diverts resources from disaster recovery and other needs.

“National Guard troops should be reserved for genuine emergencies, not deployed to suit the president’s political whims,” Naureen Shah, director of policy and government affairs for the ACLU’s Equality Division, said in a news release.

The deployment should be unneeded because ICE has been hiring large numbers of new employees, Beck said.

“You tell me they can’t keep up with the paperwork?” Beck asked.

The standoff in Washington is over the health care subsidies for marketplace health plans that are ending under the budget reconciliation bill passed in July. Democrats are demanding they be restored, while Republicans insist the government must be reopened before they will negotiate.

Beck said he wants Democrats in Congress to hold their position.

“At the end of the day, the Republicans control everything, all three branches of the government,” Beck said. “So the question you have to ask yourself is, why did they let it get to this point?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759282109511.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck says Gov. Kehoe should not have authorized a deployment just hours before the federal shutdown</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/"></a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Gov. Mike Kehoe’s decision to deploy Missouri National Guard soldiers to support immigration enforcement “makes no sense” because they will not get paid until the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/30/repub/midnight-federal-shutdown-edges-closer-as-us-senate-fails-to-agree-on-spending-bills/">federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;is resolved, the state Senate’s Democratic leader said Thursday.On Tuesday, Kehoe announced that soldiers from the Guard would, on a volunteer basis, be assigned to provide administrative, clerical and logistical support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities in the state.The shutdown started a few hours after Kehoe announced the deployment.“Everybody knew that was coming, and to me that makes no sense,” Beck said.Spokeswoman Gabby Picard said that there will be up to 15 soldiers on duty at any particular time until authorization ends on Sept. 30, 2026.&nbsp;ICE continues to work while most of the government is shut down because the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/03/repub/breaking-us-house-passes-massive-tax-break-and-spending-cut-bill-sending-it-to-trump/">budget bill approved in July</a>&nbsp;funded the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/what-government-shutdown-2025-means-immigration-system/" target="_blank">with $29.9 billion for enforcement</a>&nbsp;and $5 billion for detention through September 2029.When on federal deployment, members of the Guard are paid on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/2025ACPayDay/" target="_blank">same schedule</a>&nbsp;as active-duty personnel, with the next pay date being Oct. 15. No active duty military will receive pay until the shutdown is resolved.The Tuesday news release said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved assigning Guard personnel to ICE facilities on July 25, allowing them to be paid from the federal treasury.&nbsp;“The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts,” Kehoe said in a news release.While all the soldiers taking on the duty are doing so as volunteers, they expected to get paid, Beck said.“I’m sure, when they did this, they didn’t know that they’d be doing it possibly for free for a while,” Beck said. “I’m assuming they’ll be made whole at some point, but I’m sure they got bills just like everybody else.”In response to Beck’s criticism, Picard said the decision to assist ICE wasn’t made hastily.“Planning for this activation has been ongoing for weeks, and has nothing to do with the unfortunate political games of the Democrats in Washington that have caused a government shutdown,” Picard said.The deployment has also drawn criticism from labor unions and the ACLU..Lenny Jones, vice president and state director at the Service Employees International Union-Healthcare, said in a news release that the deployment is part of an increasingly authoritarian government.“This is just another power grab used to silence and intimidate people who disagree with the administration’s anti-American policies,” Jones said.The ACLU said the deployment diverts resources from disaster recovery and other needs.“National Guard troops should be reserved for genuine emergencies, not deployed to suit the president’s political whims,” Naureen Shah, director of policy and government affairs for the ACLU’s Equality Division, said in a news release.The deployment should be unneeded because ICE has been hiring large numbers of new employees, Beck said.“You tell me they can’t keep up with the paperwork?” Beck asked.The standoff in Washington is over the health care subsidies for marketplace health plans that are ending under the budget reconciliation bill passed in July. Democrats are demanding they be restored, while Republicans insist the government must be reopened before they will negotiate.Beck said he wants Democrats in Congress to hold their position.“At the end of the day, the Republicans control everything, all three branches of the government,” Beck said. “So the question you have to ask yourself is, why did they let it get to this point?”

Missouri Guard troops assigned to duty with ICE working without pay during federal shutdown

For a fourth consecutive year, enrollment at Northwest Missouri State University has grown.  

Enrollment increased slightly on the Maryville campus, with 8,747 students enrolled in the fall semester as of the annual census conducted just after the beginning of the semester.  

President Lance Tatum says he's proud of the people at Northwest focused on strategies that have produced positive outcomes in sustained enrollment growth 

“We have seen probably the most significant gains in our portfolio in the area of transfers, as well as keeping the students that we recruited in previous years,” Tatum tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And so, just tickled to death that we continue to see sustainability in our growth and looking forward to the future.” 

Tatum says there was a decline in the number of graduate students, in large part thanks to a decline in the number of international students 

"The geopolitical activity that is occurring around the world as it related to visa attainment has certainly had an impact on our overall enrollment,” Tatum explains.  “We have spent the last two years being very focused on building capacity in that undergraduate segment.” 

Tatum points out where there was growth in enrollment was the number of transfer students, up 9%, and those students enrolled in dual credit course, up 14%. 

Tatum says though, despite the continued growth through the years, they cannot rest on their laurels 

"I think the movement that we see in the higher education industry is going to force us to be flexible, we have to be willing to pivot, when necessary, we have to be willing to invest, when necessary,” Tatum says.  “So, I don’t think that it’s business as usual, I think we’ll continue every year to sit down, figure out where our strengths are, figure out where our weaknesses are, and then look to build with opportunities that are presented to us.” 

Tatum says the university will continue to refine and adjust its strategy as needed to keep students on campus, knowing that enrollment numbers will fluctuate year to year. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

By MATT PIKEFor a fourth consecutive year, enrollment at Northwest Missouri State University has grown. Enrollment increased slightly on the Maryville campus, with 8,747 students enrolled in the fall semester as of the annual census conducted just after the beginning of the semester. President Lance Tatum says he's proud of the people at Northwest focused on strategies that have produced positive outcomes in sustained enrollment growth “We have seen probably the most significant gains in our portfolio in the area of transfers, as well as keeping the students that we recruited in previous years,” Tatum tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And so, just tickled to death that we continue to see sustainability in our growth and looking forward to the future.” Tatum says there was a decline in the number of graduate students, in large part thanks to a decline in the number of international students "The geopolitical activity that is occurring around the world as it related to visa attainment has certainly had an impact on our overall enrollment,” Tatum explains. “We have spent the last two years being very focused on building capacity in that undergraduate segment.” Tatum points out where there was growth in enrollment was the number of transfer students, up 9%, and those students enrolled in dual credit course, up 14%. Tatum says though, despite the continued growth through the years, they cannot rest on their laurels "I think the movement that we see in the higher education industry is going to force us to be flexible, we have to be willing to pivot, when necessary, we have to be willing to invest, when necessary,” Tatum says. “So, I don’t think that it’s business as usual, I think we’ll continue every year to sit down, figure out where our strengths are, figure out where our weaknesses are, and then look to build with opportunities that are presented to us.” Tatum says the university will continue to refine and adjust its strategy as needed to keep students on campus, knowing that enrollment numbers will fluctuate year to year. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

NWMSU sees another year of enrollment growth

GENTRY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 2a.m. Thursday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Buick LaCrosse driven by a 24-year-old Maryville man was westbound on U.S. 136 just west of CR 435 two miles west of Stanberry. The vehicle struck a deer.

Grand River ambulance transported the driver an an 18-year-old female passenger to Mosaic in St. Joseph. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer reports names of accident victims.

GENTRY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 2a.m. Thursday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Buick LaCrosse driven by a 24-year-old Maryville man was westbound on U.S. 136 just west of CR 435 two miles west of Stanberry. The vehicle struck a deer.Grand River ambulance transported the driver an an 18-year-old female passenger to Mosaic in St. Joseph. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer reports names of accident victims.

Two hospitalized in St. Joe after car strikes a deer

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Ford Transit van driven by a 48-year-old Woodland Park, New Jersey man was southbound on U.S. 65 at SE lilac Lane eight miles south of Trenton. The van crossed the center line and sideswiped a northbound 2008 Ford Focus driven by an 18-year-old Lathop man.

Grundy County ambulance transported the teen driver to Wright Memorial Hospital of Trenton. There were no other injuries. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Ford Transit van driven by a 48-year-old Woodland Park, New Jersey man was southbound on U.S. 65 at SE lilac Lane eight miles south of Trenton. The van crossed the center line and sideswiped a northbound 2008 Ford Focus driven by an 18-year-old Lathop man.Grundy County ambulance transported the teen driver to Wright Memorial Hospital of Trenton. There were no other injuries. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen hospitalized after van sideswipes car

DEKALB COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just after 9a.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an all- electric three wheeled VanderHall Santa Rosa driven by a 28-year-old Cameron man was eastbound on U.S. 36 one mile west of Cameron. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It began to skid, traveled off the south side of the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.

Cameron EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DEKALB COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just after 9a.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported an all- electric three wheeled VanderHall Santa Rosa driven by a 28-year-old Cameron man was eastbound on U.S. 36 one mile west of Cameron. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It began to skid, traveled off the south side of the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.Cameron EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after ejected when electric vehicle overturns

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Freightliner semi driven by a 37-year-old Dawson, Iowa man was southbound on Interstate 35 four miles north of Eagleville. The front driver's side tire blew. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, then traveled into the northbound lane and overturned.

North Missouri EMS transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Freightliner semi driven by a 37-year-old Dawson, Iowa man was southbound on Interstate 35 four miles north of Eagleville. The front driver's side tire blew. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, then traveled into the northbound lane and overturned.North Missouri EMS transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Driver hospitalized after semi overturns

&nbsp;BROWN COUNTY —&nbsp;On Wednesday, the Brown County Sheriff's office took several reports from farmers who were concerned about suspicious vehicles lurking around their fields recently, according to a statement from Sheriff John Merchant.

 A dark colored SUV and a Maroon colored pickup have been reported pulling in to fields where harvest is taking place and when farmers notice this, the vehicles leave in a hurry.&nbsp; Another report of a lighter colored passenger car with Missouri plates was notice driving around the fields repeatedly. 

Most of this activity has been in the northern part of Brown County. Deputies and other law enforcement agencies have been notified of this and will be providing extra patrol, according to Merchant.

We are alerting farmers so they can take extra precautions when changing fields or leaving vehicles or equipment unattended or with keys left in the ignition. 

No theft have been reported , only suspicious activity. "Unfortunately, this time of year we have unscrupulous individuals who are always looking for an opportunity to steal from others instead of working an honest job," Merchant wrote. We are asking that if anyone notices anything suspicious or unusual to contact the Sheriff's Office at once at 785-742-7125 or 911 ifan emergency exists.

&nbsp;BROWN COUNTY —&nbsp;On Wednesday, the Brown County Sheriff's office took several reports from farmers who were concerned about suspicious vehicles lurking around their fields recently, according to a statement from Sheriff John Merchant. A dark colored SUV and a Maroon colored pickup have been reported pulling in to fields where harvest is taking place and when farmers notice this, the vehicles leave in a hurry.&nbsp; Another report of a lighter colored passenger car with Missouri plates was notice driving around the fields repeatedly. Most of this activity has been in the northern part of Brown County. Deputies and other law enforcement agencies have been notified of this and will be providing extra patrol, according to Merchant.We are alerting farmers so they can take extra precautions when changing fields or leaving vehicles or equipment unattended or with keys left in the ignition. No theft have been reported , only suspicious activity. "Unfortunately, this time of year we have unscrupulous individuals who are always looking for an opportunity to steal from others instead of working an honest job," Merchant wrote. We are asking that if anyone notices anything suspicious or unusual to contact the Sheriff's Office at once at 785-742-7125 or 911 ifan emergency exists.

Sheriff investigating suspicious activity near harvest fields

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

Legislators upset that a bill they oppose becomes law don’t have a right to sue over it, attorneys defending the special session measure that provides&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-kansas-city-stadium-funding-st-louis-disaster-aid/">state support to professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;said in court on Tuesday.

“It’s not recognized in the state of Missouri that a legislator can come to the court simply because they don’t like a vote that was taken… the court system would be flooded,” Marc Ellinger, an attorney representing the Missouri General Assembly, argued in Cole County Circuit Court.

Ellinger was joined by assistant attorney general Sean McDowell in arguments seeking to dismiss the lawsuit filed in July by state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, and state Rep. Bryant Wolfin, a Republican from Ste. Genevieve and conservative activist Ron Calzone.

Moon and the other plaintiffs want to throw out the entire legislative package, which includes tax credits for home repairs after natural disasters this year and property-tax restrictions for some counties.

The law, they say, goes beyond the bill’s original subject and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislators-file-lawsuit-claiming-stadium-funding-for-chiefs-royals-is-unconstitutional/">provides unconstitutional aid</a>&nbsp;to private interests. But if the state’s motion to dismiss is approved, they won’t get to argue these points in court.

Ellinger and McDowell argued the case can’t move forward, saying plaintiffs lack taxpayer standing and dismissing the idea of “legislative standing.”

“I don’t think there’s any standing for specific legislators to bring a case as the plaintiffs have,” McDowell said.

Taxpayer standing requires a direct expenditure and because the bill operates through tax credits and is “subject to appropriation,” there is no direct cost to the taxpayer, he argued.

Attorney Bevis Schock, who is representing the law’s challengers, said there are up-front costs to the bill such as an estimated $10,000 expense to create the tax-credit application.

“If these plaintiffs have no standing and we throw this case in the trash, we might as well pitch the constitution in there with it,” he wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Memo%20in%20Opposition%20to%20Defendants%20Motion%20to%20Dismiss.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3667593" target="_blank">in a pre-hearing filing</a>.

The purpose of the lawsuit, Schock said in court on Tuesday, is to challenge bills with multiple subjects.

“The problem is.. the voter can’t tell what item the legislator is for or against,” he said. “That is why we are bringing the case.”

If they lose in circuit court, Schock said, he will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748263709817.png" alt="GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Legislators upset that a bill they oppose becomes law don’t have a right to sue over it, attorneys defending the special session measure that provides&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-kansas-city-stadium-funding-st-louis-disaster-aid/">state support to professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;said in court on Tuesday.“It’s not recognized in the state of Missouri that a legislator can come to the court simply because they don’t like a vote that was taken… the court system would be flooded,” Marc Ellinger, an attorney representing the Missouri General Assembly, argued in Cole County Circuit Court.Ellinger was joined by assistant attorney general Sean McDowell in arguments seeking to dismiss the lawsuit filed in July by state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, and state Rep. Bryant Wolfin, a Republican from Ste. Genevieve and conservative activist Ron Calzone.Moon and the other plaintiffs want to throw out the entire legislative package, which includes tax credits for home repairs after natural disasters this year and property-tax restrictions for some counties.The law, they say, goes beyond the bill’s original subject and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislators-file-lawsuit-claiming-stadium-funding-for-chiefs-royals-is-unconstitutional/">provides unconstitutional aid</a>&nbsp;to private interests. But if the state’s motion to dismiss is approved, they won’t get to argue these points in court.Ellinger and McDowell argued the case can’t move forward, saying plaintiffs lack taxpayer standing and dismissing the idea of “legislative standing.”“I don’t think there’s any standing for specific legislators to bring a case as the plaintiffs have,” McDowell said.Taxpayer standing requires a direct expenditure and because the bill operates through tax credits and is “subject to appropriation,” there is no direct cost to the taxpayer, he argued.Attorney Bevis Schock, who is representing the law’s challengers, said there are up-front costs to the bill such as an estimated $10,000 expense to create the tax-credit application.“If these plaintiffs have no standing and we throw this case in the trash, we might as well pitch the constitution in there with it,” he wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Memo%20in%20Opposition%20to%20Defendants%20Motion%20to%20Dismiss.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3667593" target="_blank">in a pre-hearing filing</a>.The purpose of the lawsuit, Schock said in court on Tuesday, is to challenge bills with multiple subjects.“The problem is.. the voter can’t tell what item the legislator is for or against,” he said. “That is why we are bringing the case.”If they lose in circuit court, Schock said, he will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Missouri AG, General Assembly seek to dismiss lawsuit against stadium funding bill

Jefferson City&nbsp;—&nbsp;Governor Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that he has authorized the Missouri National Guard (MONG) to assist with administrative, clerical, and logistical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facilities within the State of Missouri, according to a media release from the governor's office.

 This decision comes in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of War (DOW) to ensure the resources and personnel needed to effectively enforce immigration laws and maintain operational control of the border.

Missouri National Guard service members will provide support starting October 1, 2025, by assisting with tasks such as data entry, case management, and logistical support, enabling ICE personnel to focus on core enforcement and security functions. MONG personnel who have been assigned to this mission were selected on a volunteer basis.

“Public safety, keeping Missourians safe, and upholding the rule of law is our administration's top priority,” said&nbsp;Governor Kehoe. “The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts. Missouri is proud to join in the Trump administration's efforts to keep our state and nation secure.”

On July 25, 2025, the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved the duty status of DOW military personnel providing support at ICE processing facilities allowing for Title 32 duty status, which is a federally funded status under authority of the Governor. The Missouri National Guard regularly works alongside local, state, and federal agencies in support roles to ensure the safety and security of communities.

Military personnel are authorized to be on duty for this mission through September 30, 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759282109511.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Jefferson City&nbsp;—&nbsp;Governor Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that he has authorized the Missouri National Guard (MONG) to assist with administrative, clerical, and logistical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facilities within the State of Missouri, according to a media release from the governor's office. This decision comes in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of War (DOW) to ensure the resources and personnel needed to effectively enforce immigration laws and maintain operational control of the border.Missouri National Guard service members will provide support starting October 1, 2025, by assisting with tasks such as data entry, case management, and logistical support, enabling ICE personnel to focus on core enforcement and security functions. MONG personnel who have been assigned to this mission were selected on a volunteer basis.“Public safety, keeping Missourians safe, and upholding the rule of law is our administration's top priority,” said&nbsp;Governor Kehoe. “The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts. Missouri is proud to join in the Trump administration's efforts to keep our state and nation secure.”On July 25, 2025, the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved the duty status of DOW military personnel providing support at ICE processing facilities allowing for Title 32 duty status, which is a federally funded status under authority of the Governor. The Missouri National Guard regularly works alongside local, state, and federal agencies in support roles to ensure the safety and security of communities.Military personnel are authorized to be on duty for this mission through September 30, 2026.

Gov. Kehoe authorizes Missouri National Guard to assist in ICE enforcement

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins must try again to write ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday.

Circuit Judge Daniel Green, in his second ruling on the ballot description of the measure proposed by lawmakers, said that Hoskins got most of the language right.

But Hoskins’ language on the portion that will be the issue the question turns on — repealing the abortion rights protections approved by voters last year —&nbsp; is “insufficient and unfair” and must be revised, Green ruled.

Hoskins rewrote the ballot language&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">prepared by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;after Green ruled it, also, did not alert voters that<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">&nbsp;it would repeal the voter-approved amendment.</a>

The measure would repeal the citizen-led initiative passed in 2024 that made Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">the first state to overturn an abortion ban</a>&nbsp;by guaranteeing the constitutional right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Green ruled that Hoskins also missed the mark by failing to inform voters of the repeal, taking issue with just one bullet point in Hoskins’ summary that reads:&nbsp;

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:&nbsp;&nbsp;

This summary “fails to adequately alert voters that the proposed constitutional amendment would abrogate&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?constit=y&amp;section=I%20%2036" target="_blank">Article 1, Section 36 of the Missouri Constitution,</a>&nbsp;which voters recently approved,” Green wrote.&nbsp;

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s Office in briefings submitted Monday said Hoskins’ latest language was sufficient because it stated the new amendment would cause a “modification” of state statute and that repeal language would be inaccurate because the new amendment “does not abolish all the constitutional rights first enshrined in Article I, section 36,” including the right to miscarriage care.

For example, the attorney general wrote, the new amendment “recognizes a right to abortion in some cases, and such a right was unprecedented in the Missouri Constitution before the voters enacted Article I, section 36 in 2024.”&nbsp;

Prior to the passage of the abortion rights amendment, nearly all abortions were illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies.

Attorneys with The ACLU of Missouri and Stinson Law&nbsp;in briefings Monday said Hoskins’ new language “at best, pays lip service” to Green’s order but “does not describe the probable effects of the measure.”

Hoskins is obligated, they argued, “to tell voters that they are being asked to repeal, not merely amend, the right to reproductive freedom.”

Jefferson City attorney Chuck Hatfield, in his filing, also took issue with the use of a semi-colon in the statement, saying it contributes to the “grammatical nonsense” of the language sure to leave voters confused.

Green on Tuesday ruled that the remaining bullet points are now acceptable. They read:&nbsp;

Under a law passed this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld in a separate case by Green</a>, Hoskins has five days to submit revised ballot language to the court. If after that, Green decides the language still doesn’t follow the law, Hoskins has one&nbsp;more opportunity to rewrite it. If Green still doesn’t find the language satisfactory, the judge will rewrite it himself.&nbsp;

In his ruling Tuesday, Green deemed the new summary was sufficient.&nbsp;

This approved summary states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.

As the one-year anniversary of the abortion rights amendment approaches, access to the procedure in Missouri remains limited as legal battles challenging a series of abortion regulations play out in the courts.

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/11/laws-regulations-medication-abortion-mifepristone-misoprostol-missouri/">Medication abortions remain halted.</a>&nbsp;Procedural abortions are available on a limited basis at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759281068209.png" alt="Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has been ordered to rewrite ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has been ordered to rewrite ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins must try again to write ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday.Circuit Judge Daniel Green, in his second ruling on the ballot description of the measure proposed by lawmakers, said that Hoskins got most of the language right.But Hoskins’ language on the portion that will be the issue the question turns on — repealing the abortion rights protections approved by voters last year —&nbsp; is “insufficient and unfair” and must be revised, Green ruled.Hoskins rewrote the ballot language&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">prepared by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;after Green ruled it, also, did not alert voters that<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">&nbsp;it would repeal the voter-approved amendment.</a>The measure would repeal the citizen-led initiative passed in 2024 that made Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">the first state to overturn an abortion ban</a>&nbsp;by guaranteeing the constitutional right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability.&nbsp;On Wednesday, Green ruled that Hoskins also missed the mark by failing to inform voters of the repeal, taking issue with just one bullet point in Hoskins’ summary that reads:&nbsp;“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Amend Article I, section 36, approved in 2024; allowing abortions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, and incest;”</li>
 </ul>This summary “fails to adequately alert voters that the proposed constitutional amendment would abrogate&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?constit=y&amp;section=I%20%2036" target="_blank">Article 1, Section 36 of the Missouri Constitution,</a>&nbsp;which voters recently approved,” Green wrote.&nbsp;Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s Office in briefings submitted Monday said Hoskins’ latest language was sufficient because it stated the new amendment would cause a “modification” of state statute and that repeal language would be inaccurate because the new amendment “does not abolish all the constitutional rights first enshrined in Article I, section 36,” including the right to miscarriage care.For example, the attorney general wrote, the new amendment “recognizes a right to abortion in some cases, and such a right was unprecedented in the Missouri Constitution before the voters enacted Article I, section 36 in 2024.”&nbsp;Prior to the passage of the abortion rights amendment, nearly all abortions were illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies.Attorneys with The ACLU of Missouri and Stinson Law&nbsp;in briefings Monday said Hoskins’ new language “at best, pays lip service” to Green’s order but “does not describe the probable effects of the measure.”Hoskins is obligated, they argued, “to tell voters that they are being asked to repeal, not merely amend, the right to reproductive freedom.”Jefferson City attorney Chuck Hatfield, in his filing, also took issue with the use of a semi-colon in the statement, saying it contributes to the “grammatical nonsense” of the language sure to leave voters confused.Green on Tuesday ruled that the remaining bullet points are now acceptable. They read:&nbsp;“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:<ul>
 <li>Guarantee women’s medical care for emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages;&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure women’s safety during abortions;&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure parental consent for minors;&nbsp;</li><li>and Prohibit sex-change procedures for children?”</li>
 </ul>Under a law passed this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld in a separate case by Green</a>, Hoskins has five days to submit revised ballot language to the court. If after that, Green decides the language still doesn’t follow the law, Hoskins has one&nbsp;more opportunity to rewrite it. If Green still doesn’t find the language satisfactory, the judge will rewrite it himself.&nbsp;Hoskins was also responsible for writing the fair ballot statement that appears in polling places and on the office’s website that summarize what both a “yes” and “no” vote mean.Green previously told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;In his ruling Tuesday, Green deemed the new summary was sufficient.&nbsp;This approved summary states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.As the one-year anniversary of the abortion rights amendment approaches, access to the procedure in Missouri remains limited as legal battles challenging a series of abortion regulations play out in the courts.<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/11/laws-regulations-medication-abortion-mifepristone-misoprostol-missouri/">Medication abortions remain halted.</a>&nbsp;Procedural abortions are available on a limited basis at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis.&nbsp;

Missouri judge says new ballot language again fails to mention repeal of abortion rights

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

Shortly after 8:30a.m. on Sept. 28, police responded to the area of 7th and R Street in Atchison to check the welfare of several people in and around a parked vehicle, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

One of those persons was&nbsp; 22-year-old Christian Tollett of Branson, Missouri, who was found to be in possession of illegal drugs.

Tollett is being held in the county jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759158665904.png" alt="Tollett photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Tollett photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Shortly after 8:30a.m. on Sept. 28, police responded to the area of 7th and R Street in Atchison to check the welfare of several people in and around a parked vehicle, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.One of those persons was&nbsp; 22-year-old Christian Tollett of Branson, Missouri, who was found to be in possession of illegal drugs.Tollett is being held in the county jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Drug suspect jailed after welfare check on parked car

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas woman avoided serious injury after a crash in Atchison.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, police responded to an accident in the 1000 block South 7th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; A 2013 Honda Pilot SUV driven by Rebecca Smith, 45, Atchison, was northbound on 7th Street when she struck a parked vehicle causing the Honda SUV to land on its side.

EMS responded to the scene. Smith was not injured.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759241575072.png" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas woman avoided serious injury after a crash in Atchison.Just after 11p.m. Monday, police responded to an accident in the 1000 block South 7th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; A 2013 Honda Pilot SUV driven by Rebecca Smith, 45, Atchison, was northbound on 7th Street when she struck a parked vehicle causing the Honda SUV to land on its side.EMS responded to the scene. Smith was not injured.&nbsp;

Kansas woman avoids injury after SUV crash

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Buick Rendezvous driven by a 59-year-old Bolckow man was northbound on U.S. 71 three miles north of Savannah.&nbsp; The truck rear-ended a&nbsp;1981 C-7000 Grain Truck driven by a 66-year-old Rosendale man who was slowing to turn east into Andrew County Oil. After impact the grain truck overturned.

Andrew County EMS transported the SUV driver to Mosaic Life Care. A private vehicle transported the truck driver to Mosaic.&nbsp; The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer reports names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Buick Rendezvous driven by a 59-year-old Bolckow man was northbound on U.S. 71 three miles north of Savannah.&nbsp; The truck rear-ended a&nbsp;1981 C-7000 Grain Truck driven by a 66-year-old Rosendale man who was slowing to turn east into Andrew County Oil. After impact the grain truck overturned.Andrew County EMS transported the SUV driver to Mosaic Life Care. A private vehicle transported the truck driver to Mosaic.&nbsp; The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer reports names of accident victims.

2 Mo. men injured after SUV rear-ends grain truck

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect after an altercation between two women in a store parking lot.

Just before 1p.m. September 24, police investigated a disturbance that had occurred in the Walmart parking lot in the 1900 block U.S.73 Highway in the city of Atchson, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

A 72-year-old woman reported being threatened, struck and pulled to the ground by a person known to her. 

The 78 year old suspect had left the scene before officers arrived.&nbsp; At 7p.m. police took 78-year-old Paula Phillips into custody at her residence. She remains jailed on requested charges that includes criminal threat and battery.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759158957289.png" alt="Phillips photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Phillips photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect after an altercation between two women in a store parking lot.Just before 1p.m. September 24, police investigated a disturbance that had occurred in the Walmart parking lot in the 1900 block U.S.73 Highway in the city of Atchson, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.A 72-year-old woman reported being threatened, struck and pulled to the ground by a person known to her. The 78 year old suspect had left the scene before officers arrived.&nbsp; At 7p.m. police took 78-year-old Paula Phillips into custody at her residence. She remains jailed on requested charges that includes criminal threat and battery.&nbsp;

Kansas woman jailed after alleged parking lot fight

The latest court case, like others filed earlier, argues that no authority exists in the Missouri Constitution for redrawing district lines without new census data

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>

Gov. Mike Kehoe on Sunday signed the new Missouri congressional district map intended to bring Republicans another seat, and opponents responded with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV31273&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16&amp;inputVO.isTicket=false#header" target="_blank">new lawsuit</a>&nbsp;challenging the plan.

Lawmakers, acting at the insistence of President Donald Trump, finished a special session on Sept. 12 by&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">passing a bill</a>&nbsp;targeting the 5th District in Kansas City and placing a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to make it more difficult to pass constitutional proposals by initiative petition.

The new lawsuit, like others filed previously, contends that no authority exists in the Missouri Constitution allowing lawmakers to revise congressional districts in the absence of new census data. The new case also argues that the districts are not legal because they stretch for hundreds of miles across the state.

The law will take effect Dec. 11, in time for candidate filing in the 2026 elections, unless blocked by the courts or&nbsp;a referendum petition.&nbsp;

To bring enough voters into the 5th District, which currently includes portions of only Jackson and Clay counties, the drafters destroyed the idea that districts should be as compact as possible, the new lawsuit filed in Jackson County contends.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat, has represented the 5th District since 2005.

Kehoe, who has said&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/25/let-the-courts-decide-kehoe-says-he-will-sign-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map/">the courts will decide</a>&nbsp;if what lawmakers did was legal, said in a news release that he signed the bill to make the state’s districts align with voter views overall.

“We believe this map best represents Missourians, and I appreciate the support and efforts of state legislators, our congressional delegation, and President Trump in getting this map to my desk,” Kehoe said.

Opponents have argued that the new map disenfranchises a large portion of Missouri voters. Democrats currently hold two of the state’s eight districts, or 25%, while statewide elections show about 40% of voters support Democratic candidates.

Filed by the&nbsp;National Redistricting Foundation, the legal arm of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/09/democrats-hopes-courts-redistricting-fight-00551030" target="_blank">National Democratic Redistricting Committee</a>&nbsp;led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the lawsuit enlists voters from around the state as plaintiffs, raising objections to changes in other districts as well the lines in the Kansas CIty area.

“Missouri’s mid-decade gerrymander is in clear violation of the state constitution,” Marina Jenkins, executive director of the foundation, said in a news release. “It was not prompted by the law or a court order; it was the result of Republican lawmakers in Missouri following partisan directives from politicians in Washington, D.C.”

The constitutional standards for redistricting include districts that are compact, contiguous, as equal as possible in population and do not split communities of interest.

“Every redistricting plan since the 1950s has placed as much of the Jackson County portion of Kansas City as possible in a single district, and more recently, also brought in a substantial portion of the Clay County parts of Kansas City as well,” the lawsuit states. “In fact, the Jackson County portion of Kansas City has not been split in more than 50 years.”

Under the new map, the lawsuit states, Kansas City’s central business district is in three separate districts. The new 4th District stretches from downtown Kansas City to Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, 200 miles away.

Eastern portions of the city that remain in the 5th District are now in a district with Rolla, in southeast Missouri, also 200 miles away, while the remaining downtown portions are part of the 6th District, which runs across northeast Missouri to the Mississippi River.

“The configuration of congressional districts in the Kansas City area under (the redistricting bill) violates the mandatory compactness requirement on nearly every level,” the lawsuit contends.

The National Redistricting Foundation lawsuit is the fourth filed since Kehoe announced plans for the special session.

The first was filed by the&nbsp;NAACP of Missouri, which contends that Kehoe did not have authority to call lawmakers into session for redistricting or to change initiative majority requirements. That case is in the hands of Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh, who heard arguments Sept. 15.

The other lawsuits are in their early procedural stages.

One, filed Sept. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV29597&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16#header" target="_blank">in Jackson County</a>&nbsp;makes similar arguments to the new case about the compactness of the new districts, while also questioning whether the bill mistakenly places the same precinct in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/18/court-battle-looms-over-kc-precinct-listed-twice-in-missouris-new-congressional-map/">two different districts</a>.

Another, filed Sept. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC06964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">in Cole County</a>, is based on an argument common to all four cases — that the state constitution doesn’t allow mid-cycle redistricting.&nbsp;

Only once since the current constitution was written have lawmakers altered congressional districts between censuses, and that was in the 1960s when a U.S. Supreme Court decision forced a national reexamination of districts to balance populations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757444658128.png" alt="Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago " />
 <figcaption>Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The latest court case, like others filed earlier, argues that no authority exists in the Missouri Constitution for redrawing district lines without new census data</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>Gov. Mike Kehoe on Sunday signed the new Missouri congressional district map intended to bring Republicans another seat, and opponents responded with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV31273&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16&amp;inputVO.isTicket=false#header" target="_blank">new lawsuit</a>&nbsp;challenging the plan.Lawmakers, acting at the insistence of President Donald Trump, finished a special session on Sept. 12 by&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">passing a bill</a>&nbsp;targeting the 5th District in Kansas City and placing a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to make it more difficult to pass constitutional proposals by initiative petition.The new lawsuit, like others filed previously, contends that no authority exists in the Missouri Constitution allowing lawmakers to revise congressional districts in the absence of new census data. The new case also argues that the districts are not legal because they stretch for hundreds of miles across the state.The law will take effect Dec. 11, in time for candidate filing in the 2026 elections, unless blocked by the courts or&nbsp;a referendum petition.&nbsp;To bring enough voters into the 5th District, which currently includes portions of only Jackson and Clay counties, the drafters destroyed the idea that districts should be as compact as possible, the new lawsuit filed in Jackson County contends.U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat, has represented the 5th District since 2005.Kehoe, who has said&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/25/let-the-courts-decide-kehoe-says-he-will-sign-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map/">the courts will decide</a>&nbsp;if what lawmakers did was legal, said in a news release that he signed the bill to make the state’s districts align with voter views overall.“We believe this map best represents Missourians, and I appreciate the support and efforts of state legislators, our congressional delegation, and President Trump in getting this map to my desk,” Kehoe said.Opponents have argued that the new map disenfranchises a large portion of Missouri voters. Democrats currently hold two of the state’s eight districts, or 25%, while statewide elections show about 40% of voters support Democratic candidates.Filed by the&nbsp;National Redistricting Foundation, the legal arm of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/09/democrats-hopes-courts-redistricting-fight-00551030" target="_blank">National Democratic Redistricting Committee</a>&nbsp;led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the lawsuit enlists voters from around the state as plaintiffs, raising objections to changes in other districts as well the lines in the Kansas CIty area.“Missouri’s mid-decade gerrymander is in clear violation of the state constitution,” Marina Jenkins, executive director of the foundation, said in a news release. “It was not prompted by the law or a court order; it was the result of Republican lawmakers in Missouri following partisan directives from politicians in Washington, D.C.”The constitutional standards for redistricting include districts that are compact, contiguous, as equal as possible in population and do not split communities of interest.“Every redistricting plan since the 1950s has placed as much of the Jackson County portion of Kansas City as possible in a single district, and more recently, also brought in a substantial portion of the Clay County parts of Kansas City as well,” the lawsuit states. “In fact, the Jackson County portion of Kansas City has not been split in more than 50 years.”Under the new map, the lawsuit states, Kansas City’s central business district is in three separate districts. The new 4th District stretches from downtown Kansas City to Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, 200 miles away.Eastern portions of the city that remain in the 5th District are now in a district with Rolla, in southeast Missouri, also 200 miles away, while the remaining downtown portions are part of the 6th District, which runs across northeast Missouri to the Mississippi River.“The configuration of congressional districts in the Kansas City area under (the redistricting bill) violates the mandatory compactness requirement on nearly every level,” the lawsuit contends.The National Redistricting Foundation lawsuit is the fourth filed since Kehoe announced plans for the special session.The first was filed by the&nbsp;NAACP of Missouri, which contends that Kehoe did not have authority to call lawmakers into session for redistricting or to change initiative majority requirements. That case is in the hands of Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh, who heard arguments Sept. 15.The other lawsuits are in their early procedural stages.One, filed Sept. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV29597&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16#header" target="_blank">in Jackson County</a>&nbsp;makes similar arguments to the new case about the compactness of the new districts, while also questioning whether the bill mistakenly places the same precinct in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/18/court-battle-looms-over-kc-precinct-listed-twice-in-missouris-new-congressional-map/">two different districts</a>.Another, filed Sept. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC06964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">in Cole County</a>, is based on an argument common to all four cases — that the state constitution doesn’t allow mid-cycle redistricting.&nbsp;Only once since the current constitution was written have lawmakers altered congressional districts between censuses, and that was in the 1960s when a U.S. Supreme Court decision forced a national reexamination of districts to balance populations.The&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">redistricting provision</a>&nbsp;of the constitution says that after receiving census data, lawmakers “shall by law divide the state into districts corresponding with the number of representatives to which it is entitled…”The section is silent on the power to do it at any other time and that, the new lawsuit contends, means it is prohibited.“The General Assembly ignored the state constitution’s procedural limitation authorizing congressional redistricting to take place only when new decennial census results are certified to the governor,” the lawsuit states.

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