An investigation by the Missouri Attorney General has inspired lawmakers to consider proposals to supervise the Missouri High School Activities Association

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>

Changes to the organization that oversees high school athletics in Missouri are a top priority of state lawmakers this year, following allegations of discrimination under investigation by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.

State Sen. Jason Bean, a Republican from Holcomb, and state Rep. Bennie Cook, a Houston Republican, have filed bills the past two years seeking to give the state authority when athletes and coaches appeal decisions made by Missouri High School Activities Association . Neither bill got any traction.&nbsp;

This year, their proposals are some of the first to get hearings in House and Senate committees and were namechecked by Gov. Mike Kehoe in his annual State of the State address.

“This reform is about good governance, consistent standards and ensuring that decisions impacting Missouri students and funded by Missouri taxpayers are made openly, fairly and responsibly,” Kehoe said. “Unelected bureaucrats cannot act like kings.”

The House Government Efficiency Committee and Senate Education Committee examined MSHSAA’s appeals process during public hearings Thursday morning. Bean and Cook both focused on incidents in which schools have appealed the association’s rulings, such as when a scoring mistake&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsiltv.com/news/missouri/cooter-high-school-mshsaa-appeal-unsuccessful-in-cooter-basketball-game-error/article_d1460898-be8f-11ed-98b8-5717c15936c2.html" target="_blank">changed the outcome of a basketball quarterfinal game in 2023</a>.

“I don’t see the role of this new oversight board as one to absorb the day-to-day governance of MSHSAA,” Bean told the Senate committee. “Rather, parents, students, coaches, school districts, etc., need an avenue to appeal decisions made by MSHSAA to an independent oversight board.”

Their bills set the framework for a board appointed by the governor that could handle appeals. Currently, MSHSAA has a two-pronged appeals process that allows athletes and their parents to challenge rules and decisions.

But a process in which MSHSAA oversees appeals of its decisions doesn’t satisfy everyone.

Nick Purler, who runs a wrestling academy in Moscow Mills, said he’s watched his wrestlers face MSHSAA decisions “who should have been treated more fairly.”

“MSHSAA seems to be the judge, jury and executioner, and I don’t think that’s fair,” he said.

MSHSAA operates as a member organization and is not run by the state, though most of the state’s public schools and many private schools have signed on as members.

Democrats questioned the idea of regulating a private, nonprofit organization.

“If we start here on nonprofits and say that there could be an appointed board by the governor, where are we to stop?” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat. “Think about the amount of nonprofits that exist across the state. Now it is the state’s job to get involved in all of these other nonprofits?”

Senate Education Committee Chairman Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, argued that MSHSAA has a monopoly over high school athletics in the state. Although it’s a voluntary organization, there is not another option for public schools who want to participate in interscholastic competition.

MSHSAA Executive Director Jennifer Rukstad told the committee that the association operates as a democracy, with member schools voting on its bylaws.

“The schools have said, ‘We’ve set up our rules and now we need somebody to help us to follow them,’” she said. “So they have hired a staff, and they have tasked us to be the experts on the rules they have written, and they have asked us to help them enforce those rules.”

MSHSAA’s board of directors, which has eight members and two at-large members, is elected by schools. A policy created in 2004 establishing the two at-large positions has caught the attention of lawmakers, driving attention to the legislation.

The policy requires the at-large positions to be filled by “candidates representing the under-represented gender of the current board or an under-represented ethnicity.”

Merlyn Johnson, superintendent of the Cassville School District, reported this policy to the Missouri State Auditor’s Office last year after he was deemed ineligible to run for an at-large position.

Rukstad,&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/wp-content/uploads/Lettter-to-AGO.pdf" target="_blank">in an email to Johnson in March</a>, said the board “has a majority of males,” which disqualified him unless he identified with an underrepresented “ethnicity or race group.”

In November, Hanaway announced she was investigating the incident, calling the policy an “overtly racist practice.” Rukstad was not embarrassed when her email to Johnson became public, she told committee members, because she believes the policy is not discriminatory.

The eight original seats on the board are open to any administrator, she said. It is just the two at-large positions with “additional qualifiers.”

State Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, said the email fueled his support for the legislation.

“Seeing this email really has me ticked off,” he said. “Just adding up all the different flaws within MSHSAA, I think that is the reason why this is a sound bill.”

Neither committee took immediate action on the bills Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769168888018.png" alt=" Republican state Sen. Jason Bean of Holcomb, pictured listening from his Senate desk Feb. 12, 2024, has sponsored a bill seeking state oversight of the Missouri State High School Activities Association for three consecutive years. This legislative session, his proposal is gaining traction early on in session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Republican state Sen. Jason Bean of Holcomb, pictured listening from his Senate desk Feb. 12, 2024, has sponsored a bill seeking state oversight of the Missouri State High School Activities Association for three consecutive years. This legislative session, his proposal is gaining traction early on in session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>An investigation by the Missouri Attorney General has inspired lawmakers to consider proposals to supervise the Missouri High School Activities Association</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Changes to the organization that oversees high school athletics in Missouri are a top priority of state lawmakers this year, following allegations of discrimination under investigation by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674759497176.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>State Sen. Jason Bean, a Republican from Holcomb, and state Rep. Bennie Cook, a Houston Republican, have filed bills the past two years seeking to give the state authority when athletes and coaches appeal decisions made by Missouri High School Activities Association . Neither bill got any traction.&nbsp;This year, their proposals are some of the first to get hearings in House and Senate committees and were namechecked by Gov. Mike Kehoe in his annual State of the State address.“This reform is about good governance, consistent standards and ensuring that decisions impacting Missouri students and funded by Missouri taxpayers are made openly, fairly and responsibly,” Kehoe said. “Unelected bureaucrats cannot act like kings.”The House Government Efficiency Committee and Senate Education Committee examined MSHSAA’s appeals process during public hearings Thursday morning. Bean and Cook both focused on incidents in which schools have appealed the association’s rulings, such as when a scoring mistake&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsiltv.com/news/missouri/cooter-high-school-mshsaa-appeal-unsuccessful-in-cooter-basketball-game-error/article_d1460898-be8f-11ed-98b8-5717c15936c2.html" target="_blank">changed the outcome of a basketball quarterfinal game in 2023</a>.“I don’t see the role of this new oversight board as one to absorb the day-to-day governance of MSHSAA,” Bean told the Senate committee. “Rather, parents, students, coaches, school districts, etc., need an avenue to appeal decisions made by MSHSAA to an independent oversight board.”Their bills set the framework for a board appointed by the governor that could handle appeals. Currently, MSHSAA has a two-pronged appeals process that allows athletes and their parents to challenge rules and decisions.But a process in which MSHSAA oversees appeals of its decisions doesn’t satisfy everyone.Nick Purler, who runs a wrestling academy in Moscow Mills, said he’s watched his wrestlers face MSHSAA decisions “who should have been treated more fairly.”“MSHSAA seems to be the judge, jury and executioner, and I don’t think that’s fair,” he said.MSHSAA operates as a member organization and is not run by the state, though most of the state’s public schools and many private schools have signed on as members.Democrats questioned the idea of regulating a private, nonprofit organization.“If we start here on nonprofits and say that there could be an appointed board by the governor, where are we to stop?” said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat. “Think about the amount of nonprofits that exist across the state. Now it is the state’s job to get involved in all of these other nonprofits?”Senate Education Committee Chairman Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, argued that MSHSAA has a monopoly over high school athletics in the state. Although it’s a voluntary organization, there is not another option for public schools who want to participate in interscholastic competition.MSHSAA Executive Director Jennifer Rukstad told the committee that the association operates as a democracy, with member schools voting on its bylaws.“The schools have said, ‘We’ve set up our rules and now we need somebody to help us to follow them,’” she said. “So they have hired a staff, and they have tasked us to be the experts on the rules they have written, and they have asked us to help them enforce those rules.”<h2>Investigation</h2>MSHSAA’s board of directors, which has eight members and two at-large members, is elected by schools. A policy created in 2004 establishing the two at-large positions has caught the attention of lawmakers, driving attention to the legislation.The policy requires the at-large positions to be filled by “candidates representing the under-represented gender of the current board or an under-represented ethnicity.”Merlyn Johnson, superintendent of the Cassville School District, reported this policy to the Missouri State Auditor’s Office last year after he was deemed ineligible to run for an at-large position.Rukstad,&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.mo.gov/wp-content/uploads/Lettter-to-AGO.pdf" target="_blank">in an email to Johnson in March</a>, said the board “has a majority of males,” which disqualified him unless he identified with an underrepresented “ethnicity or race group.”In November, Hanaway announced she was investigating the incident, calling the policy an “overtly racist practice.” Rukstad was not embarrassed when her email to Johnson became public, she told committee members, because she believes the policy is not discriminatory.The eight original seats on the board are open to any administrator, she said. It is just the two at-large positions with “additional qualifiers.”State Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, said the email fueled his support for the legislation.“Seeing this email really has me ticked off,” he said. “Just adding up all the different flaws within MSHSAA, I think that is the reason why this is a sound bill.”Neither committee took immediate action on the bills Thursday.

State oversight of Missouri State High School Activities Association a priority for lawmakers

Traffic has resumed on Atchison County Route F near Westboro following the successful reopening of the Rock Creek Bridge on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

 The Missouri Department of Transportation, alongside contractor Emery Sapp &amp; Sons, Inc., completed the deck replacement ahead of schedule, restoring access to a route that had been closed since October 20, 2025.

This project was part of a multi-bridge improvement initiative aimed at extending the lifespan of critical infrastructure in the region. In addition to the Rock Creek Bridge, the project included deck replacements for the Mill Creek Bridge on Holt County Route T and the U.S. Route 59 Bridge over Interstate 29.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566589245645.jpeg" alt="Missouri Department of Transportation MoDOT Northwest district" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Department of Transportation MoDOT Northwest district</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHTraffic has resumed on Atchison County Route F near Westboro following the successful reopening of the Rock Creek Bridge on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The Missouri Department of Transportation, alongside contractor Emery Sapp &amp; Sons, Inc., completed the deck replacement ahead of schedule, restoring access to a route that had been closed since October 20, 2025.This project was part of a multi-bridge improvement initiative aimed at extending the lifespan of critical infrastructure in the region. In addition to the Rock Creek Bridge, the project included deck replacements for the Mill Creek Bridge on Holt County Route T and the U.S. Route 59 Bridge over Interstate 29.

Rock Creek Bridge reopens in Atchison County

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he's gratified to hear that President Trump says he's secured a deal with NATO that will bring the United States complete and enduring access to Greenland. 

Grassley, a Republican, agrees with the president in saying the territory of Denmark is in a strategic location and it's in America's best interest to keep Russia or China from gaining a foothold there. Grassley says it's a win-win, as the U-S apparently won't have to use force, try to buy the island, or make it a state. 

Grassley says "Denmark is open to almost everything the United States needs for our national security." Trump made the announcement about Greenland earlier today (Thursday) while in Switzerland where he's attending a NATO summit.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he's gratified to hear that President Trump says he's secured a deal with NATO that will bring the United States complete and enduring access to Greenland. Grassley, a Republican, agrees with the president in saying the territory of Denmark is in a strategic location and it's in America's best interest to keep Russia or China from gaining a foothold there. Grassley says it's a win-win, as the U-S apparently won't have to use force, try to buy the island, or make it a state. Grassley says "Denmark is open to almost everything the United States needs for our national security." Trump made the announcement about Greenland earlier today (Thursday) while in Switzerland where he's attending a NATO summit.

Senator Grassley is pleased to hear of deal on Greenland

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust in Brown County.

Just after 8p.m. on Jan. 18, a sheriff's deputy responded to a&nbsp; call of a domestic disturbance in Fairview, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Upon arrival and after the initial investigation, a search warrant was then approved for the residence at 114 W. Front Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 At the conclusion of the warrant, 69-year-old Jane Teske of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.

&nbsp; Robert Hobbs, 50, of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.&nbsp;

Yvette Ward, 56, Pawnee City Nebraska was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of DrugParaphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769117200424.png" alt="Ward photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Ward photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust in Brown County.Just after 8p.m. on Jan. 18, a sheriff's deputy responded to a&nbsp; call of a domestic disturbance in Fairview, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp; &nbsp;Upon arrival and after the initial investigation, a search warrant was then approved for the residence at 114 W. Front Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769117237605.png" alt="Teske photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Teske photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> At the conclusion of the warrant, 69-year-old Jane Teske of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.&nbsp; Robert Hobbs, 50, of Fairview was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction.&nbsp;Yvette Ward, 56, Pawnee City Nebraska was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of DrugParaphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff: Domestic disturbance led to drug bust at Kan. home

HOLT&nbsp; COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Wednesday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Toyota Prius driven by an 81-year-old Maitland man was southbound on U.S. 59 at Holt 215 five miles south of Mound City. The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The car traveled off the west side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The car began to skid, returned to the road, traveled off the east side of the road, struck an embankment and rolled onto its roof.

Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver to Fairfax Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

HOLT&nbsp; COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Wednesday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Toyota Prius driven by an 81-year-old Maitland man was southbound on U.S. 59 at Holt 215 five miles south of Mound City. The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The car traveled off the west side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The car began to skid, returned to the road, traveled off the east side of the road, struck an embankment and rolled onto its roof.Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver to Fairfax Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man hospitalized after rollover accident

Extreme cold temperatures hitting the region are forcing schools to cancel classes for Friday with wind chills as low as -13 expected to hit the area and some snowfall expected this weekend.&nbsp;

There is a Cold Weather Advisory in effect from the National Weather Service until midnight on Saturday.&nbsp; A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect from 6pm on Friday to 6pm on Sunday.

On Thursday evening, the King City School District, the South Holt School District, and the West Nodaway School District all canceled classes due to the cold wind chills plaguing the area.&nbsp;

Throughout the remainder of Thursday night, the Chillicothe School District, the Maryville School District, the Maysville School District, the Mound City School District, and the North Nodaway School District all canceled classes as well.&nbsp; North Nodaway students will have an AMI day with learning at home.&nbsp;

The Northeast Nodaway School District, the Stanberry School District, the Stewartsville School District, and the Union Star School District also called off school Friday.&nbsp; In Kansas, the Atchison School District and the Hiawatha School District have canceled classes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Falls City Public Schools in Nebraska have also called off classes and activities for the day with the extreme cold.

For more school closures that come in prior to this article being updated, you can click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a>.

(You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.)

(By MATT PIKE)Extreme cold temperatures hitting the region are forcing schools to cancel classes for Friday with wind chills as low as -13 expected to hit the area and some snowfall expected this weekend.&nbsp;There is a Cold Weather Advisory in effect from the National Weather Service until midnight on Saturday.&nbsp; A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect from 6pm on Friday to 6pm on Sunday.On Thursday evening, the King City School District, the South Holt School District, and the West Nodaway School District all canceled classes due to the cold wind chills plaguing the area.&nbsp;Throughout the remainder of Thursday night, the Chillicothe School District, the Maryville School District, the Maysville School District, the Mound City School District, and the North Nodaway School District all canceled classes as well.&nbsp; North Nodaway students will have an AMI day with learning at home.&nbsp;The Northeast Nodaway School District, the Stanberry School District, the Stewartsville School District, and the Union Star School District also called off school Friday.&nbsp; In Kansas, the Atchison School District and the Hiawatha School District have canceled classes.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Falls City Public Schools in Nebraska have also called off classes and activities for the day with the extreme cold.For more school closures that come in prior to this article being updated, you can click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a>.(You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.)

Extreme cold temperatures forcing school closures

The 2000 Maryville Golf State Championship team, coached by Pat Turner, achieved perfection with an 11-0 record on their way to winning the Class 2 state title. 

The team, consisting of Jesmin Ehlers, Brian Prokes, Nick Thompson, Trent Twaddle, and Matt Van Cleave, is now immortalized in the Spoofhound Hall of Fame. Van Cleave, who was also the individual state champion that season, and Twaddle were standout performers on the team. 

This achievement marks a rare instance of a sports team achieving perfection in their season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767591981049.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The 2000 Maryville Golf State Championship team, coached by Pat Turner, achieved perfection with an 11-0 record on their way to winning the Class 2 state title. The team, consisting of Jesmin Ehlers, Brian Prokes, Nick Thompson, Trent Twaddle, and Matt Van Cleave, is now immortalized in the Spoofhound Hall of Fame. Van Cleave, who was also the individual state champion that season, and Twaddle were standout performers on the team. This achievement marks a rare instance of a sports team achieving perfection in their season.

From 11-0 to the Hall of Fame: Maryville honors the 2000 Class 2 state champs

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Cruz driven by a 17-year-old Bethany girl was northbound on MO 146 six miles southeast of Bethany. The driver lost control of the car on a curve.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, traveled through a yard and struck a mailbox.

Harrison County EMS transported the teen to Harrison County Community Hospital.&nbsp; She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Cruz driven by a 17-year-old Bethany girl was northbound on MO 146 six miles southeast of Bethany. The driver lost control of the car on a curve.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, traveled through a yard and struck a mailbox.Harrison County EMS transported the teen to Harrison County Community Hospital.&nbsp; She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri teen hospitalized after car strikes mailbox

(Radio Iowa) - A bill that would give state and local law enforcement officers who stop a vehicle going over 100 miles an hour authority to immediately take the driver's license away from the driver. 

Senator Mark Lofgren of Muscatine says there's no reason to go over 100 miles an hour and recent reports are alarming. State troopers, police and county sheriff's departments ticketed about two-thousand drivers last year for driving at triple digit speed. Under Lofgren's bill, the officer would take the driver's license, give the motorist a temporary ten-day license and send driver's license to the D-O-T. 

The Iowa D-O-T would be required to revoke that person's driver's license for 30 days, once the paperwork is processed -- however there would be an appeals process for the driver. Lofgren's bill also would classify going 20 miles or more over the posted limit as reckless driving and make the crime a simple misdemeanor.

(Radio Iowa) - A bill that would give state and local law enforcement officers who stop a vehicle going over 100 miles an hour authority to immediately take the driver's license away from the driver. Senator Mark Lofgren of Muscatine says there's no reason to go over 100 miles an hour and recent reports are alarming. State troopers, police and county sheriff's departments ticketed about two-thousand drivers last year for driving at triple digit speed. Under Lofgren's bill, the officer would take the driver's license, give the motorist a temporary ten-day license and send driver's license to the D-O-T. The Iowa D-O-T would be required to revoke that person's driver's license for 30 days, once the paperwork is processed -- however there would be an appeals process for the driver. Lofgren's bill also would classify going 20 miles or more over the posted limit as reckless driving and make the crime a simple misdemeanor.

Iowa Senator proposes tougher penalties for excessive speeding

ATCHISON COUNTY—A suspect wanted following an investigation by police and the KBI in June is in custody facing additional allegaions.

Shortly before 7p.m. on Tuesday an officer on patrol observed a vehicle being driven by Robert ‘Jamie’ Ford who the officer knew was wanted on outstanding warrants, according to Atchison Police Chef Mike Wilson.

The officer stopped the vehicle in the 600 block North 11th Street in Atchison where Ford was taken into custody on two District Court warrants and new traffic charges. 

He was subsequently found to be in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. The District Court warrant charging him with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia is in connection to a June 2025 Atchison Police/Kansas Bureau of Investigation joint investigation. Ford was taken to the County Jail.

He is being held on requested charges that include possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, no vehicle insurance, expired tag, transporting an open container and District Court warrants charging him with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, and probation violation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769010357891.png" alt="Ford photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Ford photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—A suspect wanted following an investigation by police and the KBI in June is in custody facing additional allegaions.Shortly before 7p.m. on Tuesday an officer on patrol observed a vehicle being driven by Robert ‘Jamie’ Ford who the officer knew was wanted on outstanding warrants, according to Atchison Police Chef Mike Wilson.The officer stopped the vehicle in the 600 block North 11th Street in Atchison where Ford was taken into custody on two District Court warrants and new traffic charges. He was subsequently found to be in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. The District Court warrant charging him with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia is in connection to a June 2025 Atchison Police/Kansas Bureau of Investigation joint investigation. Ford was taken to the County Jail.He is being held on requested charges that include possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, no vehicle insurance, expired tag, transporting an open container and District Court warrants charging him with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, and probation violation.

Wanted Kansas suspect was in possession of cocaine

Citizens, business leaders, educators, and government officials from Northwest Missouri are set to gather in Jefferson City February&nbsp; 3rd &amp; 4th for Great Northwest Day, an annual event aiming to showcase the region’s strengths and advocating for its legislative priorities.

The event is designed to educate state lawmakers about the critical issues facing the Northwest region and promote the region as a vital contributor to the Show-Me State’s economic and community success.

Participants will be recognized on the House and Senate floors before taking part in panel discussions focused on key regional priorities. A reception will allow attendees to connect with legislators, and state department leaders. It will also feature the presentation of the Northwest Missouri Citizen of the Year award.

The Great Northwest Priorities Committee has identified six focus areas for the upcoming legislative session: expanding access to rural health care, increasing child care availability, investing in higher education, supporting K–12 education, expanding workforce housing, and ensuring sustainable tax reform.

Registration is $80 through this Tuesday, January 27. Organizers are anticipating participation to exceed 250 attendees.

For additional details, visit <a href="http://greatnorthwestday.com">greatnorthwestday.com</a>.

(By JIM FARIS)Citizens, business leaders, educators, and government officials from Northwest Missouri are set to gather in Jefferson City February&nbsp; 3rd &amp; 4th for Great Northwest Day, an annual event aiming to showcase the region’s strengths and advocating for its legislative priorities.The event is designed to educate state lawmakers about the critical issues facing the Northwest region and promote the region as a vital contributor to the Show-Me State’s economic and community success.Participants will be recognized on the House and Senate floors before taking part in panel discussions focused on key regional priorities. A reception will allow attendees to connect with legislators, and state department leaders. It will also feature the presentation of the Northwest Missouri Citizen of the Year award.The Great Northwest Priorities Committee has identified six focus areas for the upcoming legislative session: expanding access to rural health care, increasing child care availability, investing in higher education, supporting K–12 education, expanding workforce housing, and ensuring sustainable tax reform.Registration is $80 through this Tuesday, January 27. Organizers are anticipating participation to exceed 250 attendees.For additional details, visit <a href="http://greatnorthwestday.com">greatnorthwestday.com</a>.

Great Northwest Day returns February 3 & 4

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.

A 2017 Dodge Ram pickup&nbsp; driven by Matthew Carr, 40, Atchison, was northbound on 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The pickup turned west onto U.S.59, crossed the median and left the roadway on the south side of U.S.59.&nbsp; The vehicle continued southbound down an embankment, across a parking lot and then struck the north side of Hotel Eastin,&nbsp;401 S 10th Street.&nbsp;

The hotel room that was struck was unoccupied. 

EMS transported Matthew Carr, the only occupant in the vehicle, to Amberwell Hospital for examination. It is believed that the driver suffered some type of medical episode prior to the accident, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769009819295.jpeg" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.A 2017 Dodge Ram pickup&nbsp; driven by Matthew Carr, 40, Atchison, was northbound on 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The pickup turned west onto U.S.59, crossed the median and left the roadway on the south side of U.S.59.&nbsp; The vehicle continued southbound down an embankment, across a parking lot and then struck the north side of Hotel Eastin,&nbsp;401 S 10th Street.&nbsp;The hotel room that was struck was unoccupied. EMS transported Matthew Carr, the only occupant in the vehicle, to Amberwell Hospital for examination. It is believed that the driver suffered some type of medical episode prior to the accident, according to Wilson.

Kansas man injured after pickup crash into hotel room

The Missouri Department of Transportation and Evergy will host a public meeting today to discuss a planned intersection improvement project on U.S. Route 71 at 340th Street, south of Maryville.

The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Maryville Public Safety Training Room, located at 101 N. Vine St. The event will follow an open-house format with no formal presentation, allowing residents to view project plans and speak directly with representatives from MoDOT and Evergy.

The proposed upgrades are designed to accommodate a projected increase in traffic following the construction of a new natural gas plant in the area. MoDOT officials recommend replacing the existing crossover at 340th Street with J-turns to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of high-speed collisions.

Under the J-turn design, motorists on side roads will no longer cross multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic to turn left or travel straight. Instead, drivers will turn right in the direction of traffic, merge into the passing lane, and use a dedicated lane to make a U-turn into the opposite direction of travel.

The project is currently scheduled to be made available for contractor bids during MoDOT’s April 2026 letting.

Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to share concerns or submit comments. Those unable to speak with project leaders directly will have the opportunity to provide feedback via written comment forms.

Nodaway U.S. Route 71 Intersection Improvement

Missouri Department of Transportation

All comments must be postmarked by Feb. 4, 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566589245645.jpeg" alt="MoDOT Northwest district" />
 <figcaption>MoDOT Northwest district</figcaption>
 </figure>(By RYAN SKAITH)The Missouri Department of Transportation and Evergy will host a public meeting today to discuss a planned intersection improvement project on U.S. Route 71 at 340th Street, south of Maryville.The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Maryville Public Safety Training Room, located at 101 N. Vine St. The event will follow an open-house format with no formal presentation, allowing residents to view project plans and speak directly with representatives from MoDOT and Evergy.The proposed upgrades are designed to accommodate a projected increase in traffic following the construction of a new natural gas plant in the area. MoDOT officials recommend replacing the existing crossover at 340th Street with J-turns to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of high-speed collisions.Under the J-turn design, motorists on side roads will no longer cross multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic to turn left or travel straight. Instead, drivers will turn right in the direction of traffic, merge into the passing lane, and use a dedicated lane to make a U-turn into the opposite direction of travel.The project is currently scheduled to be made available for contractor bids during MoDOT’s April 2026 letting.Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to share concerns or submit comments. Those unable to speak with project leaders directly will have the opportunity to provide feedback via written comment forms.You can also mail your comments to:Nodaway U.S. Route 71 Intersection ImprovementMissouri Department of Transportation3602 North Belt HighwaySt. Joseph, MO 64506All comments must be postmarked by Feb. 4, 2026.

MoDOT and Evergy to host public meeting for U.S. 71 intersection upgrades south of Maryville today

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Department of Transportation now has a new online website where you can and appointment to renew your driver’s license or vehicle registration. 

Motor Vehicle Division Director Kathleen Meradith-Eyers says it combines scheduling and walk-in management systems for all 18 D-O-T locations as well as offices for 79 different county treasurers. Meradith-Eyers says the sites were not connected in the previous system. 

The new website is linked to the D-O-T website and she says you can select what kind of service you want and the system will intuitively guide you to locations based on proximity or based on the soonest an appointment is available.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa Department of Transportation now has a new online website where you can and appointment to renew your driver’s license or vehicle registration. Motor Vehicle Division Director Kathleen Meradith-Eyers says it combines scheduling and walk-in management systems for all 18 D-O-T locations as well as offices for 79 different county treasurers. Meradith-Eyers says the sites were not connected in the previous system. The new website is linked to the D-O-T website and she says you can select what kind of service you want and the system will intuitively guide you to locations based on proximity or based on the soonest an appointment is available.

DOT unveils new site to schedule driver's license renewals

Savannah will not be getting a new aquatics facility after all.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Instead, after several discussions with professionals, the Andrew County Aquatics Initiative has decided to keep and renovate the current pool facility in Savannah.&nbsp;&nbsp;

President Diane Gould says after reviewing the pool with the professionals, it showed the&nbsp;facility&nbsp;was in&nbsp;good shape, but needed some work&nbsp;

“They came to the conclusion that we could have a really nice facility that, to anyone who didn’t know, will appear to be and will function like&nbsp;a&nbsp;brand-new&nbsp;facility for under $1 million,” Gould tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post&nbsp;

Gould says a new facility, that was&nbsp;essentially the&nbsp;same as what already existed in Savannah, would have cost around&nbsp;$6 million&nbsp;to build.&nbsp;

The fundraising goal for the project is still short by around&nbsp;$165,000.&nbsp; A trivia night will be held on March 21st, which is also when the Andrew County Aquatics Initiative hopes to hit the goal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gould says today will begin the first steps towards reopening the pool as they get ready for renovations at the facility.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“There is a company coming out to do what is called a pressure test on the pool to make sure that&nbsp;we’re&nbsp;leak tight,&nbsp;we’ve&nbsp;done a few things to get prepared for that,&nbsp;change some&nbsp;valves and&nbsp;fixed a few things,” Gould explains&nbsp;

Gould says once that test gets passed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“As long as we get an A+ on&nbsp;that,&nbsp;we will be pushing forward and probably, hopefully breaking ground in a few weeks,” Gould says.&nbsp;

Gould says the hope is to be able to have the Savannah Pool open by the Memorial Day holiday.&nbsp;

Gould says the way things have fallen into place with this project have been&nbsp;really exciting&nbsp;

“I got a call from a company who renovates old water slides &nbsp;just a couple days ago, and they were interested in coming, and it’s like things are just falling into place in such a way that I’m like&nbsp;man I feel like God’s just shining down on this project and&nbsp;its&nbsp;opening all the doors and making the right decisions really obvious,” Gould says.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746644589613.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>(By MATT PIKE)Savannah will not be getting a new aquatics facility after all.&nbsp;&nbsp;Instead, after several discussions with professionals, the Andrew County Aquatics Initiative has decided to keep and renovate the current pool facility in Savannah.&nbsp;&nbsp;President Diane Gould says after reviewing the pool with the professionals, it showed the&nbsp;facility&nbsp;was in&nbsp;good shape, but needed some work&nbsp;“They came to the conclusion that we could have a really nice facility that, to anyone who didn’t know, will appear to be and will function like&nbsp;a&nbsp;brand-new&nbsp;facility for under $1 million,” Gould tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post&nbsp;Gould says a new facility, that was&nbsp;essentially the&nbsp;same as what already existed in Savannah, would have cost around&nbsp;$6 million&nbsp;to build.&nbsp;The fundraising goal for the project is still short by around&nbsp;$165,000.&nbsp; A trivia night will be held on March 21st, which is also when the Andrew County Aquatics Initiative hopes to hit the goal.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gould says today will begin the first steps towards reopening the pool as they get ready for renovations at the facility.&nbsp;&nbsp;“There is a company coming out to do what is called a pressure test on the pool to make sure that&nbsp;we’re&nbsp;leak tight,&nbsp;we’ve&nbsp;done a few things to get prepared for that,&nbsp;change some&nbsp;valves and&nbsp;fixed a few things,” Gould explains&nbsp;Gould says once that test gets passed.&nbsp;&nbsp;“As long as we get an A+ on&nbsp;that,&nbsp;we will be pushing forward and probably, hopefully breaking ground in a few weeks,” Gould says.&nbsp;Gould says the hope is to be able to have the Savannah Pool open by the Memorial Day holiday.&nbsp;Gould says the way things have fallen into place with this project have been&nbsp;really exciting&nbsp;“I got a call from a company who renovates old water slides &nbsp;just a couple days ago, and they were interested in coming, and it’s like things are just falling into place in such a way that I’m like&nbsp;man I feel like God’s just shining down on this project and&nbsp;its&nbsp;opening all the doors and making the right decisions really obvious,” Gould says.&nbsp;(You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.)

Savannah pool hopes to be open by Memorial Day following renovations 

A long-term narcotics investigation spanning two counties resulted in the seizure of drugs and firearms and the arrest of two individuals last week, according to the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation, conducted in cooperation with the Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force, began in 2025 following a traffic stop. That initial stop led to a search warrant at a rural Nodaway County residence, where authorities seized approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and packaging materials.

Last week, deputies executed a follow-up search warrant in Clearmont, MO. During the search, officers recovered additional controlled substances, multiple firearms, and packaging material consistent with the distribution of narcotics.

A suspect, identified by authorities as a convicted felon, was taken into custody and is being held on a $100,000 bond. The individual faces several charges, including distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location, unlawful possession of a firearm, and driving while revoked or suspended.

The Clearmont investigation provided leads that prompted a second search warrant in neighboring Atchison County. That operation resulted in the arrest of a second subject.

The second individual faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence, and resisting arrest for a felony.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768993510867.jpeg" alt="Photo Nodaway Co Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Nodaway Co Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>A long-term narcotics investigation spanning two counties resulted in the seizure of drugs and firearms and the arrest of two individuals last week, according to the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office.The investigation, conducted in cooperation with the Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force, began in 2025 following a traffic stop. That initial stop led to a search warrant at a rural Nodaway County residence, where authorities seized approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and packaging materials.Last week, deputies executed a follow-up search warrant in Clearmont, MO. During the search, officers recovered additional controlled substances, multiple firearms, and packaging material consistent with the distribution of narcotics.A suspect, identified by authorities as a convicted felon, was taken into custody and is being held on a $100,000 bond. The individual faces several charges, including distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location, unlawful possession of a firearm, and driving while revoked or suspended.The Clearmont investigation provided leads that prompted a second search warrant in neighboring Atchison County. That operation resulted in the arrest of a second subject.The second individual faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence, and resisting arrest for a felony.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768993552673.jpeg" alt="Courtesy of Nodaway Co Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Nodaway Co Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>

Nodaway County Sheriff seizes drugs and weapons; two arrested

NODAWAY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before noon Tuesday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Toyota Tundra driven by a 68-year-old Fridley, Minnesota man was southbound on Interstate 35 seven miles north of Winston. The driver had a medial emergency. The pickup traveled off the west side of the road, struck a culvert, a fence and came to rest.

Daviess County Ambulance transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; NTA Ambulance transported a 77-year-old female passenger to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

NODAWAY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before noon Tuesday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Toyota Tundra driven by a 68-year-old Fridley, Minnesota man was southbound on Interstate 35 seven miles north of Winston. The driver had a medial emergency. The pickup traveled off the west side of the road, struck a culvert, a fence and came to rest.Daviess County Ambulance transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; NTA Ambulance transported a 77-year-old female passenger to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Two hospitalized after pickup strikes a fence in Nodaway County

(Radio Iowa) -&nbsp;A northwest Iowa farmer who has agreed to let the Summit Carbon pipeline run through his family's land is part of a group lobbying legislators Tuesday -- urging passage of the proposal that would give the company more leeway to rechart its pipeline route around landowners who won't sign a voluntary easement. 

Kelly Nieuwenhuis of Primghar, a former member of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, was president of the Siouxland Energy ethanol plant in Sioux Center when it signed the contract to hook up to Summit's pipeline. He says the project has taken longer than anticipated to get off the group, but the success of a pipeline in Nebraska that started shipping liquid carbon to Wyoming this fall shows the value of Summit's project. 

Nieuwenhuis has four natural gas pipelines, a crude oil pipeline, wind turbines and electrical transmission lines on his farms -- and Nieuwenhuis says he had no qualms about signing a voluntary easement for Summit's pipeline to cross his property given his experience with all of those projects.

(Radio Iowa) -&nbsp;A northwest Iowa farmer who has agreed to let the Summit Carbon pipeline run through his family's land is part of a group lobbying legislators Tuesday -- urging passage of the proposal that would give the company more leeway to rechart its pipeline route around landowners who won't sign a voluntary easement. Kelly Nieuwenhuis of Primghar, a former member of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, was president of the Siouxland Energy ethanol plant in Sioux Center when it signed the contract to hook up to Summit's pipeline. He says the project has taken longer than anticipated to get off the group, but the success of a pipeline in Nebraska that started shipping liquid carbon to Wyoming this fall shows the value of Summit's project. Nieuwenhuis has four natural gas pipelines, a crude oil pipeline, wind turbines and electrical transmission lines on his farms -- and Nieuwenhuis says he had no qualms about signing a voluntary easement for Summit's pipeline to cross his property given his experience with all of those projects.

Pipeline supporters lobbying lawmakers

Policies aim to get ahead of Legislature’s debate about weakening tenure rights

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents ordered state public universities to implement faculty workload and tenure review policies that will bring underperforming professors to remediation, with termination a potential consequence for failure to address deficiencies.

The mandate applied to thousands of faculty employed at Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University, Emporia State University and Wichita State University. Expectations for nontenure, tenure-track and tenured faculty wouldn’t be identical from university to university, but all would be assigned annual course instructional loads and undergo yearly reviews in terms of teaching, research and public service.

Faculty at the state’s three research-oriented universities — KU, K-State and WSU — would be expected to teach six to nine credit hours per semester. Annual reviews of these faculty would be based on teaching at 40% to 55% of the workload. Research obligations would range from 35% to 45% of the total. Public service would be 5% to 20% of the job.

Faculty at the three regional universities — PSU, ESU and FHSU — would be assigned 12 credit hours of instructional course work each semester. The faculty evaluation breakdown: teaching, 60% to 75%; research, 15% to 30%; and public service, 5% to 20%.

Tenured university faculty in the Board of Regents system would undergo performance assessments by a campus committee every five years. Those determined to be less than satisfactory would be placed on self-improvement plans. If a faculty member earned a second unsatisfactory annual review, the policy said, the individual would be subject to dismissal, reassignment or other personnel action.

Rusty Monhollon, vice president of academic affairs for the Board of Regents, said the post-tenure and workload policies would help administrators identify faculty falling short of standards and those exceeding those metrics. The goal was to make evaluation of faculty less subjective and to address consternation about the rigor of decisions about faculty appointments, he said.

He expected few university faculty to fail to abide by new productivity standards because the “work they do is good.”

“These are very important policies that are impactful. We want to make sure we get it right,” said Alysia Johnston, a member of the Board of Regents.

Johnston, a former president of Fort Scott Community College, said the final version of policies approved by the Board of Regents left the analysis of tenure review cases to university administrators because the state board didn’t have the expertise to make scholarly judgments. She said the Board of Regents would consider tenure appeals based on claims that due process rights were violated by university administrators.

The Board of Regents voted unanimously at its January meeting to require the six universities to begin documenting and reporting faculty performance data that would be shared with legislators and others to enhance transparency and accountability in higher education.

University reporting would include statistics on student credit hours produced, percentage of credit hours by full-time faculty, bachelor’s degrees awarded, student retention, faculty scholarship and faculty research funding. Information about the number of people granted and denied tenure and the number of faculty who left each university must be documented.

Board of Regents member Matt Crocker, a Manhattan businessman, said he appreciated that the development of a systemwide faculty review policy involved considerable effort by the Board of Regents. He said there was an expectation among members of the Kansas Legislature that faculty workload policies would be rigorous. In the past two years, members of the Legislature raised the possibility of modifying tenure at the state universities.

“The question I seem to get all the time, especially here in Topeka, is making sure I’m a good steward for the state’s funding for higher education,” he said.

Under the Board of Regents policy, each university would craft faculty workload expectations that were “equitable, fair and balanced, and aligned with the unique needs of each department and the whole institution.” While all faculty would be assigned teaching loads, the policy said, exceptions would be permitted for clinical or research faculty, librarians and other personnel in noninstructional roles.

The new systemwide policy was developed by Board of Regents’ staff, university administrators and faculty as well as state politicians. At least four drafts were circulated for review and comment during the past seven months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768943639729.png" alt=" Kansas Board of Regents member Alysia Johnston, who leads the board’s academic affairs committee, endorses faculty workload and post-tenure review policies applicable at the six public universities in the state system. This image of Johnston is of her at a Board of Regents meeting in 2024 in Manhattan. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Board of Regents member Alysia Johnston, who leads the board’s academic affairs committee, endorses faculty workload and post-tenure review policies applicable at the six public universities in the state system. This image of Johnston is of her at a Board of Regents meeting in 2024 in Manhattan. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Policies aim to get ahead of Legislature’s debate about weakening tenure rights</h2>By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents ordered state public universities to implement faculty workload and tenure review policies that will bring underperforming professors to remediation, with termination a potential consequence for failure to address deficiencies.The mandate applied to thousands of faculty employed at Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University, Emporia State University and Wichita State University. Expectations for nontenure, tenure-track and tenured faculty wouldn’t be identical from university to university, but all would be assigned annual course instructional loads and undergo yearly reviews in terms of teaching, research and public service.Faculty at the state’s three research-oriented universities — KU, K-State and WSU — would be expected to teach six to nine credit hours per semester. Annual reviews of these faculty would be based on teaching at 40% to 55% of the workload. Research obligations would range from 35% to 45% of the total. Public service would be 5% to 20% of the job.Faculty at the three regional universities — PSU, ESU and FHSU — would be assigned 12 credit hours of instructional course work each semester. The faculty evaluation breakdown: teaching, 60% to 75%; research, 15% to 30%; and public service, 5% to 20%.Tenured university faculty in the Board of Regents system would undergo performance assessments by a campus committee every five years. Those determined to be less than satisfactory would be placed on self-improvement plans. If a faculty member earned a second unsatisfactory annual review, the policy said, the individual would be subject to dismissal, reassignment or other personnel action.Rusty Monhollon, vice president of academic affairs for the Board of Regents, said the post-tenure and workload policies would help administrators identify faculty falling short of standards and those exceeding those metrics. The goal was to make evaluation of faculty less subjective and to address consternation about the rigor of decisions about faculty appointments, he said.He expected few university faculty to fail to abide by new productivity standards because the “work they do is good.”“These are very important policies that are impactful. We want to make sure we get it right,” said Alysia Johnston, a member of the Board of Regents.Johnston, a former president of Fort Scott Community College, said the final version of policies approved by the Board of Regents left the analysis of tenure review cases to university administrators because the state board didn’t have the expertise to make scholarly judgments. She said the Board of Regents would consider tenure appeals based on claims that due process rights were violated by university administrators.The Board of Regents voted unanimously at its January meeting to require the six universities to begin documenting and reporting faculty performance data that would be shared with legislators and others to enhance transparency and accountability in higher education.University reporting would include statistics on student credit hours produced, percentage of credit hours by full-time faculty, bachelor’s degrees awarded, student retention, faculty scholarship and faculty research funding. Information about the number of people granted and denied tenure and the number of faculty who left each university must be documented.Board of Regents member Matt Crocker, a Manhattan businessman, said he appreciated that the development of a systemwide faculty review policy involved considerable effort by the Board of Regents. He said there was an expectation among members of the Kansas Legislature that faculty workload policies would be rigorous. In the past two years, members of the Legislature raised the possibility of modifying tenure at the state universities.“The question I seem to get all the time, especially here in Topeka, is making sure I’m a good steward for the state’s funding for higher education,” he said.Under the Board of Regents policy, each university would craft faculty workload expectations that were “equitable, fair and balanced, and aligned with the unique needs of each department and the whole institution.” While all faculty would be assigned teaching loads, the policy said, exceptions would be permitted for clinical or research faculty, librarians and other personnel in noninstructional roles.The new systemwide policy was developed by Board of Regents’ staff, university administrators and faculty as well as state politicians. At least four drafts were circulated for review and comment during the past seven months.

Kansas adopts faculty workload, post-tenure review system for public universities

The Mosaic Life Care Foundation will host a free community night at the inspireU Children’s Discovery Center Jan. 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event is the latest in a series of four free nights made possible by a gift from the Leah Spratt Charitable Trust. Foundation officials credited committee members Rhonda Rochambeau, Rick Rochambeau and Rene Rochambeau McCrary for their commitment to providing local families access to the facility.

Located at 521 Felix St. in downtown St. Joseph, the center focuses on physical health, mental wellness and educational enrichment. The facility is designed for children from birth to age 10 and their families.

The discovery center features more than 20 core exhibits, including a rooftop exploratorium and various interactive play areas. Mosaic Life Care Foundation representatives said the gift aims to encourage a fun evening of play and learning for the entire community.

For more information about the first community night, <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/f01407ae-4f75-4909-85d7-e5d613a8b251">visit here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729116203362.jpeg" alt="Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>(By RYAN SKAITH)The Mosaic Life Care Foundation will host a free community night at the inspireU Children’s Discovery Center Jan. 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.The event is the latest in a series of four free nights made possible by a gift from the Leah Spratt Charitable Trust. Foundation officials credited committee members Rhonda Rochambeau, Rick Rochambeau and Rene Rochambeau McCrary for their commitment to providing local families access to the facility.Located at 521 Felix St. in downtown St. Joseph, the center focuses on physical health, mental wellness and educational enrichment. The facility is designed for children from birth to age 10 and their families.The discovery center features more than 20 core exhibits, including a rooftop exploratorium and various interactive play areas. Mosaic Life Care Foundation representatives said the gift aims to encourage a fun evening of play and learning for the entire community.For more information about the first community night, <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/f01407ae-4f75-4909-85d7-e5d613a8b251">visit here</a>.

Free family night scheduled for Thursday at inspireU in St. Joseph

It has been a relatively mild winter thus far, but temperatures are expected to take a major dive by this weekend throughout the Midland Empire.

Meteorologist Dan Holiday says extreme cold air could reach the area by Thursday. "There is a significant arctic air mass coming down from Canada and we'll really start to feel the effects of that Thursday night with lows forecast anywhere from zero to 5 above."

While it will be bitterly cold, Holiday says snow chances are light for northern Missouri. "There are low-end snow chances for Friday and Saturday. Most of the heavier snowfall should be south of us, but its still too early to tell for sure."

With such low temperatures, Holiday says to keep an extra eye on your pets. "If you have outdoor pets or even livestock, its going to be really important to watch them carefully from Thursday through the remainder of the weekend because temperatures will be frigid combined with gusty winds."

Friday's high is forecast between 10 and 15 degrees with a low of negative 2. Saturday will be in the single digits with a 30% chance of snow.

Holiday emphasizes that while northern Missouri may not get as much precipitation, motorists should stay cautious as weather conditions can change quickly.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol recommends packing extra blankets and pillows in case you become stranded in your vehicle. Drivers can also call Star 55 to be connected with the nearest Patrol headquarters.

The area will see a slight warm-up early next week with temperatures in the low to mid 30s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1768927332353.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>(By RYAN SKAITH)It has been a relatively mild winter thus far, but temperatures are expected to take a major dive by this weekend throughout the Midland Empire.Meteorologist Dan Holiday says extreme cold air could reach the area by Thursday. "There is a significant arctic air mass coming down from Canada and we'll really start to feel the effects of that Thursday night with lows forecast anywhere from zero to 5 above."While it will be bitterly cold, Holiday says snow chances are light for northern Missouri. "There are low-end snow chances for Friday and Saturday. Most of the heavier snowfall should be south of us, but its still too early to tell for sure."With such low temperatures, Holiday says to keep an extra eye on your pets. "If you have outdoor pets or even livestock, its going to be really important to watch them carefully from Thursday through the remainder of the weekend because temperatures will be frigid combined with gusty winds."Friday's high is forecast between 10 and 15 degrees with a low of negative 2. Saturday will be in the single digits with a 30% chance of snow.Holiday emphasizes that while northern Missouri may not get as much precipitation, motorists should stay cautious as weather conditions can change quickly.The Missouri State Highway Patrol recommends packing extra blankets and pillows in case you become stranded in your vehicle. Drivers can also call Star 55 to be connected with the nearest Patrol headquarters.The area will see a slight warm-up early next week with temperatures in the low to mid 30s.

Frigid temps expected this weekend in the Midland Empire

(Radio Iowa) -&nbsp;Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing that Iowa join a handful of other states that have made it legal for pharmacists to make over-the-counter sales of the drug Ivermectin. The F-D-A has approved it as treatment parasitic infections, like stomach worms and head lice in humans. 

People began to buy ivermectin approved for use in livestock during the pandemic as a treatment for COVID. The Governor says people have asked if the state could make it over-the-counter.

The bill Reynolds is proposing isn't publicly available in the legislature's online system yet. The Food and Drug Administration's website says the agency has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treatment COVID-19 in humans and it has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical attention after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for animals.

(Radio Iowa) -&nbsp;Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing that Iowa join a handful of other states that have made it legal for pharmacists to make over-the-counter sales of the drug Ivermectin. The F-D-A has approved it as treatment parasitic infections, like stomach worms and head lice in humans. People began to buy ivermectin approved for use in livestock during the pandemic as a treatment for COVID. The Governor says people have asked if the state could make it over-the-counter.The bill Reynolds is proposing isn't publicly available in the legislature's online system yet. The Food and Drug Administration's website says the agency has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treatment COVID-19 in humans and it has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical attention after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for animals.

Governor Says State Should Consider Over The Counter Ivermectin

The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned for Northwest Missouri for the week of Jan. 19 - 25.

There may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below.

Route F –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Rock Creek Bridge for a bridge rehabilitation project through January 2026.

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. The project schedule is currently being determined.&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;

Faraon Street – Eastbound right-hand turn lane&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for utility work at Belt Highway, Jan. 21, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

U.S. Route 169 (Belt Highway) – Utility work southbound from Fredrick Avenue to Faraon Street, overnight starting at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 23, to 8:30 a.m. Jan. 24. The southbound driving lane will be closed.

Route D –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project at the Shoal Creek Bridge through March 2026.

Route W – Brush cutting from Route T to U.S. Route 65, Jan. 20-23, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. The road will be narrowed to one lane with flaggers guiding motorists through the work zone.

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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704585565260.png" alt="MoDot" />
 <figcaption>MoDot</figcaption>
 </figure>(By RYAN SKAITH)The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned for Northwest Missouri for the week of Jan. 19 - 25.There may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below.Atchison CountyRoute F –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Rock Creek Bridge for a bridge rehabilitation project through January 2026.Buchanan CountyGene Field Road Bridge –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;due to damage from being struck by an oversized load. The project was awarded to Clarkson Construction Company. The project schedule is currently being determined.&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;Faraon Street – Eastbound right-hand turn lane&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for utility work at Belt Highway, Jan. 21, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.U.S. Route 169 (Belt Highway) – Utility work southbound from Fredrick Avenue to Faraon Street, overnight starting at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 23, to 8:30 a.m. Jan. 24. The southbound driving lane will be closed.Caldwell CountyRoute D –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project at the Shoal Creek Bridge through March 2026.Carroll CountyRoute W – Brush cutting from Route T to U.S. Route 65, Jan. 20-23, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. The road will be narrowed to one lane with flaggers guiding motorists through the work zone.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.&nbsp;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.U.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance westbound at the bridge over Turkey Creek, Jan. 20-22. The bridge will be narrowed to one lane around-the-clock.Livingston CountyRoute K –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the North Fork Crooked Creek Bridge beginning Feb. 19 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.Nodaway CountyU.S. Route 71 – Pothole patching both directions from the Iowa State line to Route FF, Jan. 20-23.Sullivan CountyRoute 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 CountyU.S. Route 169 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge deck replacement project at the Middle Fork Grand River Bridge through January 2026.Route W –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement at the West Fork Grand River Bridge through January 2026.MoDOT&nbsp; says inclement weather may cause schedule changes to some of the planned work.

Local