It's time for Eric Burlison to have a town hall meeting

I can't really tell you if Roy Blunt ever held a town hall meeting during the years he served as Seventh District Congressman, but in the past 14 years, from the beginning of Billy Long's first term through this first year of Eric Burlison's second term, no town hall meetings have been held in the Seventh District.

I'm not saying our last two congressmen don't visit our district, but let's face the facts, unless it is to attend some major county or regional party activity, or to visit the people with the big dollars- Leggett and Platt, for instance, people like you and me have a bigger chance of meeting Sasquatch than Eric Burlison.

To be fair, I did see Burlison a couple of years ago at the Jasper County Republican Women's Ice Cream Social at Memorial Hall in Carthage, but I wasn't there for the politics- I've always been an ice cream man. Besides that was the night, I found myself standing by Mark McCloskey, who is best known for pointing a gun at Black Lives Matter protesters, and having that moment captured for posterity by the camera of John Hacker.

So yes, I did see Burleson at the ice cream social and heard him talk for the allotted three minutes, but that's not a town hall meeting.

I believe I remember Burleson having a telephone town hall, which if you're not familiar with the concept, aides heavily screen the callers so nothing will be asked that could cause problems for the congressman.

Naive fool that I am, I called in to the one telephone town hall I remember Billy Long having. During the one-hour session, if I remember correctly, he talked to four people, who all asked questions that involved minor problems they were having with the government.

Nothing wrong with that. Constituent problems should be a major part of town halls, whether they're telephone, electronic or in person, but our elected representatives also need to field questions about some of the burning issues that are going on. Billy Long spent the remainder of that "town hall" meeting, telling jokes and stories.

I'll admit, in-person town halls can be messy and I've always been a bit uncomfortable with elected officials been treated with total disrespect. I remember a town hall meeting Sen. John Danforth had at the Horton Building in Lamar around 1988. I was mortified when a young man from Iantha lashed out at Danforth with a series of questions.

The questions Bubs Hohulin asked were good ones, but I was stunned by the lack of respect he showed while asking those questions. A couple of years later, Hohulin upset Democratic incumbent Jerry Burch and was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives.

More than 35 years have passed and with the way our society has changed, especially when it comes to politics, I probably would have no problems with someone who behaved the way Hohulin did.

What I remember most about that incident was the professional way that Sen. Danforth dealt with the questions. Bubs asked them; he answered them. He stood his ground.

And he showed up.

That's an example today's Congressmen should follow.

Parents say Joplin High School student section hurled racial slurs at Parkview basketball players

Springfield Public Schools officials have lodged complaints about the behavior of the Joplin High School student
section during a game Tuesday night in Kaminsky Gymnasium, claiming the students yelled racial slurs at Parkview students with Hispanic surnames.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the slurs and comments included chanting "call ICE on them at the end of the game," referring to U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Speaking for the Joplin R-8 School District, director of communications and public engagement Sarah Coyne told the News-Leader the district takes the allegations seriously and remains committed to "fostering a positive and respectful environment for all students, staff and visitors."

From the statement provided to the newspaper:

"During the game, our administrators worked with the on-site Parkview administrative staff to take immediate action in addressing exchanges between students from both schools. When reports of inappropriate conduct surfaced, our administrative team responded immediately to investigate and address them."

The statement also noted the district does not "condone any type of inappropriate or unsportsmanlike behavior" and that the allegations will be investigated.

"Joplin Schools leadership is reinforcing expectations with our students and staff, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and respect at all school events, especially when emotions become heightened during athletic competitions."

The News-Leader article said that some Springfield parents sent a letter to R-8 Superintendent Kerry Sachetta, High School Principal Randy Oliver, Athletic Director Matt Hiatt, Joplin School Board members and the Missouri State High School Activities Association, describing the actions they say took place at the game.

The letter referenced the ICE comments and said the Parkview locker room was defaced with a racial slur, which was removed by Joplin officials, but only "after the insistence of Parkview administrators.

The parents claimed Joplin administrators did little to control the behavior of the student section.

"The inaction in this case sends a dangerous message: that racially motivated taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated," the parents wrote. "Such indifference not only harms the students who were targeted but also reflects poorly on Joplin High School and its community."

The complaints about the behavior at the Joplin-Parkview game continued in the comment section of the News-Leader's Facebook page, including these, some of which questioned whether the allegations were accurate.

So happy to see this article and hoping real action is taken! 2 years of having to travel to Joplin for volleyball and both years were dreadful. Taunting and trying to pick fights with our girls. Student section making fun of a student that leads chants. When I asked the administrator who was watching it all if he was going to do anything he said we had started it which was not true. We had a crowd outside taunting as we left. A parent asked me who my kid was and when I politely said it was none of her business she said “I’m sure she’s really proud of you” after I had done nothing. Joplin administration needs to step up and fix the behavior…and the reffing…at their games.

These things have been going on since the late 90's by the student section of Joplin HS. Seems like the Admin. is afraid to discipline students because their parents might go to the board.

I've been a lifelong resident of Joplin and the Joplin area and I am deeply ashamed that this happened. This is what comes from children being indoctrinated by MAGA that being racists is not just acceptable and but encouraged. It's unbelievable that we're dealing with this type of thing 80 years after we thought we'd stamped this nazi type crap out.

I watched a replay of the game on HUDL and it looks like something happened near the end of the first quarter when a Parkview player appeared to get T'd up for saying something to Joplin's student section, probably in response to something directed his way. Almost immediately, officials from Joplin stepped in to move the students further away to the bleachers on the baseline. So I am a little confused in that email why it is being alleged the Joplin administration didn't do anything. Maybe that action wasn't enough, but I don't know if they would have heard what was allegedly being said either. I hope the Parkview folks documented whatever was left in the locker room, it's wild that Joplin students or fans or whatever would be in that area during a game.

One potential avenue for change ... the other COC superintendents, principals and ADs need to band together and tell Joplin to get its stuff together or find a new league. There always seems to be a different vibe when you drive just an hour to the "teams out West" that shouldn't be there if you're going to be in the same (one) league. You don't seem to see these issues crop up with Webb City and Carthage ... but Joplin seems often to march to its own drummer in recent years.
Threatening to kick them out of the COC and thereby forcing them to play (and schedule) as a Class 6 independent if they don't clean it up might be enough to start getting them to more actively comply.

Our kids deal with this all the time. Racism is real. And it’s everywhere. But we don’t have to put up with it.

They forgot the part where admin moved the students and then stood there the rest of the game. Or the part where PVs JV team came out and sat right over the student section in Joplin and had to be moved by their admin.

Government indicts Jackson brothers for tax fraud, conspiracy, threatening IRS agent

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

Two brothers have been indicted by a federal grand jury for refusing to vacate properties seized by the IRS and for fraudulently attempting to prevent the sale of those properties to satisfy nearly $1.4 million in unpaid federal income taxes.

William Phillip (Phil) Jackson, 67, of Stark City, Mo.(top photo), and his brother, Stephen Lee Jackson, 66, of Pierce City, Mo., were charged in a six-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of William and Stephen Jackson. William Jackson remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Wednesday, March 5.

According to the federal indictment, Phil Jackson had a longstanding history of non-compliance with the IRS, between 1998 and 2002, by failing to timely file federal income tax returns and failing to pay taxes due. In 2006, the IRS assessed William Jackson approximately $1,390,173 for unpaid income taxes (including penalties and interest) that he owed to the IRS. William Jackson refused to pay his federal tax liabilities, despite notice and demand, which led to federal tax liens being attached to four of his properties, including residential property in Stark City and business property in Granby, Mo.

On Feb. 23, 2018, the court granted the government’s partial summary judgment motion for foreclosure and judicial sale of the four properties. Following a jury trial in July 2018, related to William Jackson’s income tax liability not addressed by that court order, the court issued an order and final judgment that William Jackson had $2,396,800 in total liability for his failure to pay federal income taxes for tax years 1998 to 2002.

Despite the requirement to vacate the properties for sale, William Jackson and other family members remained on the properties for over four years. This caused the IRS to evict William Jackson on Jan. 24, 2024, so that the IRS could effectuate its legal right to sell the properties. William and Stephen Jackson took steps to intimidate an officer and employee of the United States, and impede the IRS’s seizure and sale of the Stark City and Granby properties.

On Jan. 23, 2024, one day prior to the eviction and two days prior to the scheduled auction date for the properties, William Jackson filed a bankruptcy petition, which the bankruptcy court found was filed “in bad faith” for the purpose of defying his tax obligation.

After being evicted, William Jackson forcibly removed locks and chains on the gate of the Stark City property, placed there by the IRS, and replaced them with his own lock and chain. William Jackson returned to the Stark City property on March 10 and March 12, 2024, and destroyed barbed wire fencing next to the gate so he could enter and trespass on the property.

On May 10, 2024, Stephen Jackson sent a threatening text message to the IRS specialist working on this case.

The federal indictment charges William and Stephen Jackson together in one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of impeding the due administration of the internal revenue laws.

William Jackson is also charged with two counts of attempting the forcible rescue of property that had been seized by the United States under internal revenue laws, and one count of bankruptcy fraud.

Stephen Jackson is also charged with one count of making a threatening communication to intimidate or impede an officer of the United States.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the IRS Property Appraisal and Liquidation Specialists, and the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Bill to end Missouri sales tax on groceries draws resistance from local governments

By Rudi Keller

Missouri Independent

A little-known quirk of Missouri’s sales tax law means that retailers charge a higher rate for a hot dog purchased off a roller than for a cold sandwich.

Both are meant for immediate consumption. But the cold sandwich can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, better known as food stamps, while the hot dog can’t.

(Photo- Natalie McNish, mayor of Marshfield, speaks against a bill that would remove state and local sales taxes from grocery purchases- Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).

So the tax on the hot dog is 3% more.

On Wednesday, a bill to exempt eligible food from all sales tax drew bipartisan praise for the sponsor and warnings from local officials that it would gut their budgets, forcing cuts in police patrols and other services.

State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican from Arnold, has been pushing the bill for several years. During a hearing before the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee, Coleman acknowledged that opposition.

“You’re going to hear from a number of people behind me who think this is a terrible idea,” Coleman said. “I hold a lot of minority views, so that doesn’t bother me too much. I’m hopeful I can convince you all that it’s the right thing to do.”

Eliminating the sales tax on food will provide immediate, visible relief for people, said state Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City.

“I love this bill, I really appreciate it,” Washington said. “And I want to just say thank you for that. In my district, where I have a lot of low income people, that will really help them with getting their food.”

Missouri is one of 12 states that have a state sales tax on food purchases, and of the states that do not, six allow local sales taxes that cover food sold in grocery stores.

Food accounts for about 20% of the goods subject to sales tax. The remaining state sales tax on food has three components — 1% dedicated to public schools, 0.125% for the Department of Conservation and 0.1% for state parks and soil conservation.

In some communities, where grocery stores are the major retailer, the share of sales tax revenue from food purchases can be even higher.

Natalie McNish, mayor of Marshfield in southwest Missouri, said her city of 8,000 people operates on a budget of $6.8 million. Food sales alone make up 28% of that revenue, she said.

“We do not agree that this is the best course of action, and we do believe that this would very negatively impact our operations,” McNish said. “We also are looking forward to being partners with the team and helping forge something that is better for everybody.”

Coleman’s bill would eliminate the state portion of the sales tax immediately and phase out local taxes over four years.

“If our local communities need to take a vote to the people to ask if they’d like to have an offset by adjusting the other sales tax rates,” Coleman said. “This would give them time to do so.”

According to the fiscal note prepared for Coleman’s bill, food sales in fiscal 2024 totaled $18.4 billion. Eliminating the tax would reduce funding for schools by $184 million, or about $250 per student in every district in the state.

City governments across the state would receive $417 million less in revenue, county receipts would be cut by $308 million and other political subdivisions, such as ambulance, fire and emergency services, would be cut by almost $77 million.

The revenue from food sales tax helps cities pay salaries for police and meet debt payments, said David Dimmit, mayor of Brentwood in St. Louis County.

“Every citizen is feeling the effect of inflation and the pain of purchasing goods and services at this time,” Dimmit said ”And your city governments are no different, but cutting the sales taxes on groceries would be the wrong way to address the issue. Instead, it would only lead to unacceptable and potentially dangerous cuts to services expected and deserved by local residents.”

State Sen. David Gregory, a Chesterfield Republican, said he wasn’t worried that local governments would have to pare back spending.

“I know with 100% certainty that there are ways to save money within government operations,” Gregory said.

A 1997 law exempted products that can be purchased with SNAP benefits from the state general revenue sales tax. But the law left in place the remainder of the state sales tax — 1.225% — and all local sales taxes — as much as 8% in some communities.

The 1997 law was passed at a time when the state treasury was collecting more than allowed under the tax limitation provisions of the state Constitution known as the Hancock Amendment. The exemption was not extended to other taxes because of the impact on schools and local budgets and the possibility the courts could order the state to replace the lost revenue.

Coleman’s bill is being considered in a year when lawmakers are also looking at ways to cut or eliminate the state income tax and replace the revenue with an expanded sales tax. As much as she likes the bill, Washington said during the hearing, she is worried about the state maintaining its revenue base.

“If we do this, and we eliminate the income tax, where will we fund the state?” Washington asked.

If the income tax plans move forward, Coleman replied, it will mean a close examination of every one of the dozens of sales tax exemptions.

“They’re going to have to be addressed as part of a cohesive plan,” Coleman said.

The food exemption makes sense under any system, she said.

“If we don’t get a grand solution on revamping how our tax base is working,” Coleman said, “I still think that this is the right solution to create this carve-out because our poorest citizens are having to pay regressive taxes.”

Laundry argument leads to attack on 3 Carthage police officers, including bitten finger and ripped pants

It began with dispute over laundry and ended with an attack on three Carthage police officers and damage to a patrol car.

Alexander William Springer (DOB 2004) faces three felony counts of third degree assault on a special victim and a single misdemeanor assault charge following the incident, which began with a report of a domestic assault today.

(From the probable cause statement)

Ptl. Guevara spoke with VI who advised that Springer had gotten upset with her because she did not ask her boyfriend if Springer could do laundry at his place. 

VI advised that she told Springer that he was a 21-year-old adult and could ask to do laundry himself. VI advised that Springer got upset about this and threw a washcloth at her face. VI advised that Springer struck her upper left arm. 

I made contact with the suspect Springer, Alexander who was detained. WI advised that he observed Springer push VI in to the wall and on to the bed. WI advised that he witnessed Springer throw clothes and sandals at VI while she was on the bed. I believed Springer to be the primary physical aggressor. 

I placed Springer under arrest. I began walking Springer outside with V2 when he began to use his feet to try and stop himself from moving further. V2 and I started to pull Springer with us as he was resisting. 

Springer continued to resist by kicking and trying to stop himself from being escorted to my patrol vehicle. I lost my grip on Springer. V2, V3 and V4 began carrying Springer to my patrol vehicle.

Springer continued to thrash and kick causing V3 and V4 to fall to the ground sustaining injuries. V3 had an abrasion to his right knee ripping his uniform pants and breaking skin. 

V4 sustained an abrasion to his left thumb. V2, V3 and V4 continued to carry Springer to my patrol vehicle. I opened the rear door to the cage in my patrol vehicle for V2, V3 and V4. 

Once V2, V3 and V4 made it to my patrol vehicle Springer kicked the door shut and kicked the door handle. V3 then opened the door to my patrol vehicle and attempted to place Springer in the vehicle. 

Springer continued to resist by using his feet to push himself away from the vehicle and back on to V2, V3 and V4. V2, V3 and V4 had to push Springer in to the vehicle. 

While V2 was trying to secure Springer in the vehicle Springer bit V2's right pinky finger. Officers were eventually able to get Springer in the vehicle. During the altercation Springer damaged a city vehicle by causing damage to the paint on the right side of the vehicle.

Carthage man charged with four counts of child pornography possession

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed child pornography charges against a Carthage man today.

Eugene Pershing Boone II (DOB 1977), is being held in the Jasper County Detention Center without bond.

Charges were filed after a man contacted the Jasper County Sheriff's Office about an SD card he found in his driveway, which he thought might contain child pornography. The man believed the card belonged to a friend who had lived on the same property for the past four to five years.

From the probable cause statement:

On 09-11-2024, I Detective Trenton Greene conducted a data extraction from an SD card belonging to Eugene Boone after obtaining a search warrant for the device (24AO-MC00263). 

While reviewing the device, I found the following: 

- 46 still images of a young juvenile victims of Child Sexual Abuse Material with one being an “identified child” through NCMEC. These juvenile victims were young and appeared to be adolescent, exposing their genitals in a sexual nature. 

- 4 different videos of 5 juvenile victims of Child Sexual Abuse Material. During the videos, their private areas were shown on video with three of the videos show the female juvenile victims performing sexual acts. These juvenile victims were young and appeared to be either prepubescent or adolescent. The combined length of time for the videos amounts to over 74 minutes.  

There were also multiple videos of various lengths with at least three of which showing Eugene Boone placing a recording device in a private bathroom of Victim 1-4’s residence, unknowing to them and recording them in various states of undress from partially nude to fully nude exposing their breasts, butt and vaginal areas. Eugene had hidden the recording device at the bottom of a basket. 

Victim 1 was identified in 1 video, Victim 2 was identified in 4 videos, Victim 3 was identified in 6 videos and Victim 4 was identified in 5 videos. There were also two videos that were taken outside of Victim 3’s, bedroom from the outside and recorded her changing. The other individuals were not identified at this time.

Public Service Commission orders investigation into Liberty Utilities billing practices

(From the Missouri Public Service Commission)

The Missouri Public Service Commission on Thursday ordered Commission Staff to investigate Liberty Utilities' electric, water and natural gas customer service and billing practices.

Liberty customers have testified during Local Public Hearings and have contacted the Commission's Consumer Services Department with concerns about Liberty Utilities billing issues over the last several months.

"The Commission has had numerous inquiries, complaints, comments and testimony about issues with Liberty Utilities’ billing and customer service,” the Commission said in its order. “These inquiries have come through the Commission’s customer service hotline, comments and testimony submitted at local public hearings and constituent inquiries received by Missouri legislators. Because of these persistent concerns, the Commission will direct its Staff to investigate all the Liberty Utility companies operating in Missouri and file a report with any recommended actions to be taken by the Commission.”

The Commission’s order instructs Staff to provide reports every three months, beginning on April 30, 2025, to report on progress of the investigation and when it expects to complete its final investigation report.

Consumers who need additional information can call the Consumer Services hotline at 800-392-4211.

Case No. OO-2025-0233

Click the following link(s) to enter a consumer comment for a case:
OO-2025-0233

Springfield man indicted for meth possession with intent to distribute in Jasper County

Jeremy Whitcher, 33, Springfield was indicted by a federal grand jury today on three counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

According to the indictments, which were handed down in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Whitcher allegedly had more than 50 grams of meth on March 17, 2023 and December 24, 2024 in Jasper County and on October 7, 2024 in Greene County.

Grand jury indicts Joplin man on weapons charge

A federal grand jury indicted Nicholas Cutbirth, 32, Joplin, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The allegations against Cutbirth were detailed in the complaint:

On January 7, 2025, a deputy with Newton County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) was dispatched to 7547 Dover Lane, in Newton County, within the Western District of Missouri, in reference to stolen property.

The victim stated Nicholas CUTBIRTH had stolen firearms and other items from the residence. Witness 1 (W1) stated she drove CUTBIRTH to the residence. 

According to W1, CUTBIRTH exited the vehicle and began walking through the woods. W1 stated CUTBIRTH had a rifle and a pistol in his possession. Additional deputies responded and conducted a search for CUTBIRTH. CUTBIRTH was located in an abandoned house on the victim’s property. CUTBIRTH was taken into custody. 

Upon his arrest, law enforcement located a Taurus, model PT1911 pistol, bearing serial number NLN15854, in CUTBIRTH’s waistband. 

Lying on the floor where CUTBIRTH had been standing, deputies located a Norinco, model SKS rifle, bearing serial number 16688. It was determined through a criminal history check that CUTBIRTH is a convicted felon as he was previously convicted in the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri, for theft from a licensed firearms dealer, a crime punishable by more than one year in prison under the laws of the United States.

Webb City man pleads guilty to child pornography charges

Charles Blake Tyler, 47, Webb City, pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography during a hearing this morning in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. ordered a pre-sentence examination. No sentencing date has been scheduled.

Child pornography involving an 8-year-old girl was downloading when authorities executed a search warrant at Tyler's home, according to a detention motion filed July 30.

From the detention motion:

A forensic examination of the devices seized from the defendant yielded the discovery of over 40,000 files containing depictions of child pornography. The files included depictions of children as young as two years old being sexually abused by adults.

The case stems from an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol that led to the filing of child pornography charges against Tyler in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Colombian national sentenced for assault, Neosho burglaries

(From the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

A Colombian national has entered a guilty plea to Burglary in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Burglary in the Second Degree for a string of burglaries that occurred on April 19, 2024 on the North side of Neosho. 

Edgar Samuel Aldana-Reyes, 22, from Colombia, was sentenced to 12 years on the Burglary in the First Degree, 7 years on the Assault in the Second Degree, and 7 years on the Burglary in the Second Degree by Judge Kevin Selby of the 40th Judicial Circuit. Lesser counts of resisting arrest and Armed Criminal Action were dismissed. 

Aldana-Reyes and another individual entered two homes in Neosho on April 19 of last year, stealing designer handbags at the first residence and assaulting a homeowner at the second residence. A home-security alarm alerted the first homeowner who then contacted the police. As law enforcement approached the scene, officers saw the two subjects fleeing the second home involved in the burglary and being chased by the second homeowner, at whom the other individual had brandished a screwdriver as a weapon. They were apprehended shortly thereafter. 

It is believed that additional involved subjects were able to evade identification and apprehension.

“Edgar Aldana-Reyes will spend substantial time in the Missouri Department of Corrections before being released to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He is an illegal alien that chose to victimize the wrong community, and today was held accountable for his crimes,” said William Lynch, Newton County Prosecuting Attorney. 

“I am thankful for the courage of these victims who were patient throughout this process, were bravely willing to face the defendant in court, and worked closely with our victim advocate and myself to ensure justice is served.” 

This case was investigated by the Neosho Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by William Lynch of the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Thoughts on the firing of Rowan Ford's stepfather David Spears

Hiding in plain sight.

The term has been overused and become somewhat cliche over the years, but how else can the story of David Spears, the stepfather of murdered 9-year-old Triway Elementary student Rowan Ford, be described?

Only that description would be inaccurate.

As the December 3, 2024 execution date of Rowan's killer, Chris Collings, approached, David Spears wasn't hiding, because no one was really looking for him.

Except for the news team at KSNF-KODE.

Let me clarify that a bit. Other news organizations took a cursory glance at Spears, couldn't find him and under deadline pressure, figured there were better ways to spend their time.

It's an understandable problem but a lot of good stories are overlooked that way.

That was not the approach taken by the KSNF-KODE news team. They looked for Spears until they found him.

Their discovery that Spears was working in a $40,000 plus job for the Missouri Public Defender's Office was a scoop of the highest magnitude for this area- the idea that Rowan Ford's family, teachers, classmates and the people of Stella were paying for the salary and benefits of a man who pleaded guilty to child endangerment and hindering prosecution in connection with her death sent a shock wave through this area.

Not only was Spears working in a taxpayer-funded position, but he was hired, as the report revealed, during a time when he was still on probation after his release from prison.

The KSN-KODE report also had an effect that we often see as a result of solid investigative reporting- it drew the attention of legislators, in this case, one in particular, Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, who was Joplin's police chief at the time of Rowan Ford's murder.

Roberts immediately sent a letter, signed on to by many of his fellow legislators, demanding that Spears be fired. The response he received from the Public Defender's Office was unsatisfactory, so when the House Budget Committee, chaired by Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Noel, held a hearing on the Public Defender's Office budget, the main, the only, topic of conversation was the continued employment of David Spears.

Roberts forcefully, and at time eloquently, spoke of his outrage about Spears continuing to hold his job. The committee made it clear to Public Defender's Office Director Mary Fox that it would not entertain her budget requests until Spears was no longer an employee.

The ultimatum paid off.

The Missouri State Public Defender's Office fired Spears Monday.

I was reading the article on Four States Home Page (KODE and KSNF's website) earlier this morning that reflected on the disagreement between Roberts and Fox during the Budget Committee hearing about the level of Spears' involvement in Rowan Ford's murder.

When Roberts said it was Spears who led authorities to the cave where Rowan's body was found, Fox told him he was wrong.

As the Four States Home Page story notes, Newton County Commissioner Mark Bridges, who was coroner at the time, was there.

Bridges said it was Spears who led them to the little girl’s body. He told us he was even wearing an FBI wire and there is a recording “somewhere.”

It was also Bridges who obtained the original confession from Spears. He was brought in because he knew Spears and Collings. Both Bridges and Roberts agree that court filings in the Collings appellate cases, describe details and testimony about Spears that can’t be ignored.

That story of the discovery of Rowan's body was included in my 2019 book Lost Angels: The Murders of Rowan Ford and Doug Ringler. The idea that all David Spears had to do with this case was limited to the two charges he pleaded guilty to has never been certain.

Of course, we live in a world where litigation is a given, so the story may not be over yet. Spears may well file some kind of wrongful termination lawsuit.

That's in the future.

Right now, we've seen a textbook example of the way the system should work to correct injustices. The media, in this case KSN/KODE, played the watchdog role, uncovered a wrongdoing, and alerted the public. An outraged public and its elected representatives took action and brought about change.

Sometimes justice moves at a glacial pace, but it's always welcome when it arrives.

Jill Carter wants to take away power of DESE, standardized tests to determine school accreditation

By Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

A bill that seeks to take school accreditation power away from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and decrease focus on statewide standardized testing was debated Tuesday by a state Senate committee.

State Sen. Jill Carter, a Republican from Granby, filed the legislation for the third time. It passed the Senate’s education committee the past two years with support from public education advocates. In 2023, the bill was briefly debated by the full Senate but did not come to a vote.

“This is a bill that would help restore local control over education, rather than empowering central planning by DESE,” Carter told the Senate Education Committee Tuesday morning. “Local school boards should regain control over curriculum, policies and decision-making.”

Her proposal would remove a statewide standardized test as a measure for school accreditation. Similar tests would only remain to fulfill federal mandates. To measure student growth, schools would have to institute a test that measures knowledge throughout the academic year.

These types of assessments are already in use in classrooms today.

The legislation also pivots the requirement to report school performance from the state education department to the districts and charter schools.








The state would also no longer be the sole accreditation entity for Missouri districts. While the education department would be allowed to create a classification system, the state would also have at least two national accreditation agencies that districts would choose between.

Carter said the issue of the state’s oversight of schools was what led her to testify in the State Capitol years ago after her district implemented curriculum aligning with state standards but she thought was harmful.

“We have built a system of compliance for our schools, not one of freedom and flexibility,” Carter said.

(Photo by Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)

Federal Medicaid cuts could leave Missouri with huge budget shortfall

By Clara Bates

Missouri Independent

Proposed cuts to Medicaid being considered by the Republican-controlled Congress could create a massive budget shortfall in Missouri, the director of the state Medicaid program told lawmakers on Tuesday.

(Photo- Todd Richardson, left, director of the MO HealthNet Division, testifies in 2022 before the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Patrick Luebbering, chief financial officer of the Department of Social Services- Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).

Todd Richardson, director of MO HealthNet, the state’s health insurance program for low-income and disabled Missourians, told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the state could be on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid costs under proposals being debated in Congress.

Roughly 70% of the state’s Medicaid funding comes from the federal government.

Richardson said that while his department is excited about some of the changes Congress is exploring, such as creating more flexibility for states to make Medicaid-related decisions, others will “present a challenge.”

There are “things that I think a state we would wholeheartedly embrace, and would be an exciting opportunity for us to have, but that’s also got to come with the same level of financial commitment,” Richardson said.

“If not,” he told the committee, “it’s going to be a significant challenge for us and for you all to figure out.”

Under one proposal, the federal government would drastically reduce the rate at which it pays states for low-income Americans covered under Medicaid expansion.

Missouri expanded Medicaid eligibility in 2021, over opposition from Republican lawmakers, via a ballot measure. The state Supreme Court upheld the measure, and Medicaid expansion is enshrined in the state constitution.

State Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield who chairs the appropriations committee, prompted the discussion by asking what the Missouri Department of Social Services is doing to prepare for potential federal changes.

“I did want to at least put it on the radar of the committee,” Hough said, “that when people talk about changes at the federal level, there are pretty significant implications in what we’re able to do here.”



Jessica Bax, acting director of the department, told senators that the agency will need to “plan for everything that could possibly happen at the federal level, which is difficult to do.”

Republicans in the U.S. House have forwarded a number of proposals to slash Medicaid in order to help pay for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts pushed by President Donald Trump, along with other priorities including border security.

 

The U.S. House is expected to vote on a budget resolution this week.

The federal government currently pays for 90% of the cost of Medicaid for enrollees who qualify under Medicaid expansion. Those are adults who make up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or $21,597 for an individual in 2025.

There are currently over 348,000 enrollees in the adult expansion group in Missouri, making up around one-quarter of all Missourians on Medicaid — so any decrease in the federal match rate would have a significant effect on the state budget.

Richardson said the department estimates that it could cost the state between $30 million and $35 million for every percent decrease in the federal match rate, meaning even a federal decline from 90% down to 80% would cost between $300 million and $350 million.

One federal proposal would entirely eliminate the federal match for the adult expansion group. If the federal match rate were eliminated and Missouri kept covering the expansion population, KFF estimated, it would cost Missouri $7.3 billion.

Missouri’s overall budget for the coming fiscal year is $53.7 billion, as recommended by the governor.

While other states could reverse their decision to expand Medicaid if the federal government drops the reimbursement rate, expansion is codified in Missouri’s constitution, which would require another statewide vote to change.

Some Republicans have opposed cuts to Medicaid, citing the effect on their constituents. It’s a popular program: According to a survey last year by the health policy organization KFF, 71% of Americans want Medicaid to continue as it is today.

 

That includes Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, who told HuffPost last week: ““I would not do severe cuts to Medicaid.”

One in every five Missourians is enrolled in Medicaid. Nearly 40% of all Missouri children are covered by Medicaid.

Medicaid in the state pays for two-thirds of all nursing home care in the state, and 38% of all births.

There are several other proposals that have been floated by Congressional Republicans.

One is to impose Medicaid work requirements, which the progressive think tank Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimated could put 445,000 Missourians at risk of losing coverage.



Another would shift the payment model to a block grant system, limiting states’ flexibility to receive more reimbursement as costs rise. And it’s not the only safety net program on the chopping block: the House Republican plan could also slash the federal food benefits program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, reducing federal spending by $230 billion over a decade.

Sheriff: No full nudity in photos taken in McDonald County High School girls locker room, nothing posted on internet

The cameras allegedly installed in a McDonald County High School girls locker room by a former janitor did not capture any full nudity and none of the photos or videos wound up on the internet, according to a news release issued today by the McDonald County Sheriff's Office.

Rodger Copeland was initially charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography and invasion of privacy- victim under 18, but after a forensic examination, child pornography charge was dismissed, but four additional counts of invasion of privacy- victim less than 18 were filed. The invasion of privacy charges are all felonies.

The Sheriff's Department news release is posted below:

Update regarding the Rodger Copeland case:

At this time, all of the seized electronic evidence from the scene and from the defendant’s home has been analyzed by MOCIC. The very good news resulting from this analysis is that there was no full nudity on any of the videos from the McDonald County High School girls’ locker room. 

Detectives can also say definitively that the videos from the locker room were not downloaded or transferred to any other devices, nor were they posted on the internet. The only videos from the locker room are locked in evidence at the McDonald County Sheriff’s office.

 
Based on the results of the electronics analysis, the McDonald County Prosecutor's Office has amended the complaint against Rodger Copeland to five (5) counts of Class E felony Invasion of Privacy, RSMo. §565.252. 

If found guilty of these offenses, the defendant would be facing incarceration in the Department of Corrections, as well as be required to register as a sex offender under RSMo. §589.414.
On Monday, February 24th, a preliminary hearing was scheduled in front of the Honorable Christine Rhoades. 

Prior to the hearing, counsel for the defendant made an oral motion for a special prosecutor to be appointed, citing that the McDonald County Prosecutor has a daughter who currently attends MCHS, and that she is familiar with many of the students at the high school. He argued that the close connection could cause a bias in the case. 

The Judge then ordered that the Attorney General’s office be appointed as special prosecutor for the case. 

The preliminary hearing will be rescheduled once their office has entered their appearance. The defendant remains in the custody of the McDonald County Sheriff at this time.

Probable cause: Joplin teens break into home, assault owner, steal AR-15 type rifle

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney filed burglary, stealing and third degree assault charges Monday against two Joplin men who allegedly forced their way into a home, assaulted the owner and stole an AR-15 type rifle.

According to Newton County Circuit Court records, Prosecuting Attorney asked for an arrest warrant to be issued for Malachi L. Willard (DOB 2005) and Bryan M. Patton (DOB 2006).

From the probable cause statement from the Newton County Sheriff's Office:

On January 7, 2025, I, Deputy Eimer N33, was dispatched to an address in Newton County in reference to a disturbance in progress. The suspects fled the scene prior to my arrival. The suspects were identified by Victim 1 and Victim 2 as Malachi Willard, Bryan Patton, and Karma Wells. 

Victim 1 was bleeding from several lacerations on his face and mouth area. Victim 1 had several swollen contusions on his face and head. 

Victim 1 stated Malachi and Bryan forced the front door open and pushed their way into the residence. Victim 1 stated Malachi and Bryan struck him several times in the face and head with closed fists. Victim 1 attempted to flee from his attackers, but he was pushed to the ground. {He} stated Malachi and Bryan kicked him several times while he was on the ground. 

Victim 1 stated that Malachi and Bryan then forced Victim 2's bedroom door open. I observed damage to the door frame indicating it had been forced open. Malachi and Bryan stole Victim 2's Black Rain Ordnance AR-15 style .22 caliber carbine rifle from the bedroom and then fled the residence. 

Victim 2 witnessed the incident via video call with Victim l. Victim 1 went to Mercy Hospital via ambulance to receive medical treatment for the injuries he sustained during the assault. Both victims wished to pursue charges. I was unable to locate or contact the suspects.

Agenda posted for Joplin R-8 Board of Education meeting

The Joplin R-8 Board of Education will meet 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Memorial Education Building.

Prior to the regular board meeting, two closed sessions are scheduled. The board will have a closed session on employee negotiations at 4:30 p.m. and a closed session for real estate, litigation and personnel purposes.

The agenda is posted below.

A. Call to Order

B. Roll Call

C. Pledge of Allegiance 

D. Approval of Agenda

E. Reports

1. Board President's Report

a. Celebrations

b. Student Advisor Report

c. Policy Committee Report

d. Safety Committee Report

2. Superintendent's Data Report

a. Strategic Focus - District Counseling Program

b. Health & Dental Plan Update

c. Financial Statements

F. Public Comments Regarding Posted Agenda Action Items

G. Consent Agenda

1. Minutes

2. Administration's Participation in Annual MOSIP Meeting

3. Facilities and Technology Titles

a. Continuation of Intelligence Services with TRANE

b. Duenweg - Replace 7 Classroom Doors

c. Duenweg - Replace Hardware on 7 Classroom Doors

d. Dover Hill - Add Padding to Timeout Room

e. Crack Sealant, Sealing & Striping at Cecil Floyd, Stapleton and Food Service

f. SMS - Replace Drive in Cooling Tower

g. Eastmorland - Asbestos Sampling

h. JHS - Add Panic Hardware to Kitchen Doors and Dock Area

i. Dover Hill - Add Additional Mag Lock to Timeout Room

j. Soaring Heights - Extend Sidewalk at Front Entry for Bus P/U and Drop Off

k. MEC - SE Parking Lot Concrete Install in Utility Cut

l. Dover Hill - Install Concrete in the Landscaped Area of Playground

m. Kelsey Norman - Install Artificial Turf for Playground Surfacing

n. Kelsey Norman - Replace Playground Equipment

o. JHS - Install Water Softner System to Service Kitchen and Culinary Arts

p. West Central - Install TRANE SC Controls for Bld. HVAC System

q. Irving - Replace FEMA Door

r. Roi S. Wood - Replace HVAC Units

s. EMS - Replace Boiler #1

t. MEC - Emergency Repair of Water Lines for HVAC

u. Install Additional Fob Readers at JHS, EMS, Jefferson, and Stapleton

v. Eastmorland - Relocate Fob Reader

w. Eastmorland - Replace Door Leafs at Saferoom Entrance

x. MEC - Install Fob Reader at New Dock Door

H. Regular Agenda

1. Accounts Payable

2. Policy Update 24D - 1st Reading

I. Adjourn

Longtime KY3 anchor Lisa Rose retiring, started at KODE

After 41 years at KY3, 12 p.m. and 6 p m. anchor Lisa Rose will retire this summer, the station announced today. Her final broadcast will be July 25

Rose, then known as Lisa Richardson, began her career at KODE, where she worked from 1980 to 1984.

From KY3

During her time at KY3, Lisa has covered everything from environmental and medical issues to criminal investigations. Her most memorable stories include national political conventions, the U.S. Supreme Court’s first “right to die” case that originated in the Ozarks, weeks-long manhunts, and most recently, the many accounts from breast cancer patients as they shared their very personal journeys as part of Buddy Check 3.

Joann store at Northpark Mall closing, bankrupt company closing all of its stores

Another Northpark Mall business bites the dust.

Joann, formerly known as Joann Fabrics, announced today it was closing all of its remaining stores as it goes through bankruptcy.

The announcement came only a month after the company had announced it was closing 500 stores but would remain in business. The Joplin store was not included on that list.

Jason Smith: Rooting out waste, abuse and fraud

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

Ever since President Donald Trump took office, he’s worked around the clock to cut wasteful spending and right-size the federal government. 

One of the most important tools he has in this fight is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This agency, which was created by President Trump, is doing a great job exposing the federal government’s lack of transparency and endless appetite for wasting your hard-earned tax dollars.

That’s especially true when it comes to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). DOGE has exposed how this government agency has wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on ridiculous things like putting on drag shows in Ecuador, pushing atheism in Nepal, teaching illegal immigrants how to circumvent U.S. immigration law, giving condoms to the Taliban, and spreading LGBTQ awareness across the world. I strongly support the president’s efforts to ensure USAID will no longer be able to waste taxpayer money to advance the Left’s radical agenda.

Thanks to DOGE, we also learned that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is spending millions of dollars on things that have nothing to do with helping communities recover after a major disaster. According to Elon Musk, who is assisting DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts, FEMA spent $59 million to house illegal immigrants in luxury New York City hotels. Thankfully, Department of Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem – who has jurisdiction over FEMA – is fighting tooth and nail to significantly overhaul this federal agency.

Unsurprisingly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been a major target of DOGE’s efforts to right-size the federal government and protect Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars. Together, DOGE and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are working tirelessly to rein in this federal agency. 

Zeldin canceled a $50 million “environmental justice grant” for an organization that believes “climate justice travels through a Free Palestine.” Zeldin followed up by canceling nine government contracts related to DEI and so-called environmental justice, resulting in nearly $60 million in taxpayer savings. I’m glad we now have an EPA director who is committed to reforming this out-of-control federal agency.

The Department of Education is another federal agency that is rightly being exposed for wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. This month, the Education Department canceled over $600 million in grants to institutions and nonprofits that were wasting taxpayer dollars to train teachers and education agencies on divisive ideologies, including critical race theory and DEI training. 

The agency also set strict rules aimed at stopping COVID-relief funding from being used by school boards on ridiculous things like spending $86,000 on hotel rooms in Las Vegas, $393,000 to rent out a Major League Baseball Stadium, and $60,000 to purchase pool passes. It’s only been a few weeks, but DOGE is off to a great start. 

According to DOGE, it has saved taxpayers $55 billion. But that’s not all it has accomplished. It has also shined a bright light on just how bloated and inefficient the federal government has become. It’s no secret why Washington Democrats strongly oppose DOGE: it threatens to undo their decades-long efforts to expand government command and control over Americans.