Ballot language for Missouri anti-abortion amendment doesn’t mention abortion ban

By Anna Spoerre

Missouri Independent

A revamped constitutional amendment moving forward in the Missouri House would ban nearly all abortions in Missouri. But most voters likely wouldn’t know that just by reading the drafted ballot language.

(Photo- Stickers saying “repeal and replace Amendment 3” are distributed during Missouri Right to Life advocacy day at the Missouri State Capitol Wednesday- Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

The Republican-backed amendment, if passed out of the legislature and approved by voters, would outlaw abortion with limited exceptions for medical emergencies and survivors of rape and incest prior to 12 weeks gestation.

The amendment seeks to overturn an abortion-rights amendment approved by voters in November that legalize abortions up until the point of fetal viability. This made Missouri the first state to overturn an abortion ban after lawmakers enacted a trigger law in 2022 that banned the procedure with exceptions only for medical emergencies.

While the proposed ballot language would ask voters if they want to repeal Article I, Section 36 of the constitution —the current abortion-rights amendment — it does not directly ask voters if they want to ban or outlaw most abortions.

Instead, it would ask voters if they want to “guarantee access to care for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages,” a right that is already guaranteed under the current constitutional amendment.

Missourians would also be asked if they want to “ensure women’s safety during abortion,” “ensure parental consent for minors,” allow abortions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape and incest” and “protect children from gender transitions.”

If approved by both the House and Senate, Missourians could be asked to weigh in on reinstating an abortion ban as soon as a special election the governor could call this year, or during the 2026 midterm election.

The legislation approved by a House committee Monday, is the second iteration of legislation filed by state Rep. Melanie Stinnett, a Republican from Springfield.

Stinnett’s initial language included a criticized police reporting requirement for survivors of sexual violence. Two out of every three sexual assaults are not reported to police, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

That requirement was removed in Monday’s version.

On Thursday, House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Republican from Lee’s Summit, said while he anticipates the GOP will continue to refine the exact language to put before voters, he doesn’t foresee the rape and incest exceptions being cut out in later debate.

“That’s something that the people spoke on,” Patterson said. “That’s something that all the legislators recognize is something that we have to keep.”

The new legislation, like its predecessor, proposes a ban on gender-affirming health care for minors. It also seeks to reinstate state regulations on abortion providers and facilities, including admitting privileges at a local hospital, licensing requirements and inspections.

The amendment would allow abortions in cases of fetal anomaly, which the legislation defines as “a structural or functional abnormality in the unborn child’s gestational development that would make life outside the womb impossible.”

 

The bill specifies that this would include ectopic pregnancies but exclude a fetal diagnosis of a disability.

State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, raised concerns with this language on Monday. She questioned how the amendment would apply to a fetal diagnosis where a newborn could survive birth, but would die shortly after, including in cases of anencephaly, a fetal birth defect in which part of the brain or skull don’t develop properly.

The new proposal also looks to require that any legal challenges to the state law around reproductive health care be heard in Cole County.

After the abortion-rights amendment passed in November, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri sued the state, arguing several abortion regulations on the books were now unconstitutional. That case is being tried in Jackson County, where one of the state’s several Planned Parenthood clinics is located.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been unable to convince the judge to move the case to Cole County, where a judge last year attempted to remove the abortion-rights amendment from the ballot.

During Monday’s hearing, state Rep. Pattie Mansur, a Democrat from Kansas City, said she found it noteworthy that in Missouri, a 17-year-old girl could be legally married but would still need permission from her parents for an abortion.

The House Committee on Children and Families previously spent four hours debating the initial bill, including testimony from Missourians who accused lawmakers of attempting to overturn the will of the people.

Republicans have continued to defend their decision to spend much of the legislative session on an abortion amendment by arguing that Missourians were misinformed on what they were voting on in November — a reasoning that continues to draw fury from abortion-right supporters both in the legislature and in their districts.

“The most disappointing piece of that is the Republican’s consistent insistence on defying the will of the voters in this state,” House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, told reporters last week. “Whether it’s on abortion or paid sick leave and minimum wage, the first order of business this year has been to undo what Missourians went to the ballot box to vote for.”

Aune also took notice of how late into session the proposed amendment was making its way out of committee.

“It seems to me that the reason this has been slow rolled is that there simply is not consensus on the other side of the aisle on what language to end up with, how far to go or not, what they think that they can get passed by the voters or not,” Aune said Thursday. “That is likely causing a lot of contention in their caucus right now, and I’m not mad about that.”

But there didn’t seem to be much disagreement come Monday between GOP members of the House Committee on Children and Families who passed the revised language after just a few minutes of discussion.

“It was time to get this moving,” state Rep. Holly Jones, a Republican from Eureka who chairs the committee, told her colleagues Monday.

The Senate version of the legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St Charles, passed out of committee in early March but has yet to be heard on the Senate floor.

Abortion within the state remains out of reach for many Missourians, despite voters in November codifying the right to reproductive health care in the state constitution.

This includes the most common type of abortion. Medication abortions remain inaccessible through Planned Parenthood in Missouri after the state rejected complication plans submitted by the clinics outlining continued care for patients in the case they had any adverse effects from the medication.

The rejection notice sent by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services was based on criteria set in an emergency rule published Thursday by the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office that included a requirement that clinics must provide the names of any physicians who prescribe abortion medication.



In response, Planned Parenthood on Friday filed a motion asking that a Jackson County judge block the state statute that requires the clinics submit an abortion medication plan. As of Monday, three Planned Parenthood clinics — in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis — had started seeing some patients for procedural abortions again.

Noel man charged with raping, sodomizing former girlfriend at knifepoint

A Noel man was arraigned today in McDonald County Circuit Court on two counts of first degree rape, two counts of sodomy and a single count of burglary after allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend at knifepoint Saturday.

Eduardo Gonzalez-Zepeda (DOB 1995) told the McDonald County Sheriff's Office he did not use a knife, that he and the alleged victim had sex and "she wanted it," according to the probable cause statement.

(From the probable cause statement)

She stated that he forced her to have sex with her both vaginally and anal by stating if she did not he would her kids would get it. stated that after Zepeda was done, he stated, “Now I’m happy, it was payback for you calling the police on me last time."

 Gonzalez-Zepeda is being held in the McDonald County Jail without bond. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Joplin man pleads guilty to federal weapons charge

Christopher Mark Vaughn, 49, Joplin, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm today during a hearing in U. S.  District Court in Springfield.

A pre-sentence investigation was ordered. No date has been scheduled for sentencing.

The federal charges stem from Vaughn's arrest by the Joplin Police Department July 10, which resulted in the weapons charge, as well as possession of a controlled substance.

From the probable cause statement of the Jasper County case:

On 07-10-2024 I, Officer O'Brey, was dispatched to City of Joplin in reference to a male passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. Upon arrival, contact was made with Christopher Vaughn in the driver's seat of a running vehicle.

Christopher was disoriented and did not know what was going on. I immediately observed his pupils to be the size of pinpoints and they were also blood shot.

After administering SFST's, Christopher was determined to be under the influence and placed under arrest for DWI. A firearm was also seen in plain view in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

While searching Christopher incident to arrest, I located a baggie with a large amount of a white crystal substance, commonly known as methamphetamine, in his lower right pocket.

While searching the vehicle, I located a Kimber .45 cal pistol loaded with 6 rounds, another small baggie with a white crystal substance, 4 unmarked blue capsule pills, 2 Oxycodone pills, 4 Alprazolam pills, 3 used needles, and 2 containers with a bright pink liquid substance.

The two baggies of white crystal substance were tested using the Tru-Narc and showed to be positive for methamphetamine. All substances will be sent to the lab for testing. The white crystal substance located showed to weigh approximately 18 grams total.

Upon running Christopher through MULES/NCIC, he showed to be a convicted felon and on parole for narcotics. He also showed to have 2 prior DWI convictions.

 

Killer of Missouri Southern football coach loses appeal

The Missouri Southern District Court of Appeals today rejected convicted killer Jeffrey Bruner's appeal of his conviction for the November 1, 2013 murder of Missouri Southern State University offensive line coach Derek Moore.

The panel ruled that Bruner's appeal was not filed on a timely basis.

Judge Gayle Crane sentenced Bruner to life without possibility of a parole after a Jasper County jury found him guilty in 2015.

Details of the crime can be found in the link below from the April 3, 2018 Turner Report.

The Turner Report: Missouri Supreme Court will not rehear appeal of man who murdered Missouri Southern coach

Eric Burlison: I held a virtual town hall, it was great

(From Seventh District Eric Burlison)

On Wednesday, I held a virtual town hall to connect directly with constituents and address as many questions and comments as possible from Missourians throughout the district. 

Unlike many town halls nationwide that have turned into chaotic shouting matches, mine fostered a productive dialogue, giving constituents the chance to hear my detailed responses to the most urgent issues shaping our current political landscape. 

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, and as always, it’s an honor to represent you in Congress.

Additionally, during a recent protest outside my office, several important questions were raised. In response, I recorded a video addressing those concerns directly.

Jason Smith: When President Trump makes a promise, he keeps it

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith)

For four years, Missourians suffered under a Biden Administration that prioritized radicals, wealthy environmentalists, and far-left policies at the expense of working families, farmers, and small businesses. 

Prices under President Biden increased 21 percent; real wages fell 3.2 percent; monthly mortgage payments were up 88 percent; and interest rates hit their highest levels in 23 years.

President Trump promised the American people that, as President, he would end the reckless spending that drove the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, and he would make it easier for Americans to put food on their tables, clothes on their backs, and gasoline in their cars. Already, in under 10 weeks, he is delivering on those promises.

Nothing better portrayed the Biden Administration’s lack of attention to our farmers than the unbelievable increase in the price of eggs Americans saw at the grocery store – if Americans were able to find eggs on the shelves! On January 21, 2025, the average price for a dozen eggs was $6.55, an unacceptable cost to working families. Thanks to great leadership from President Trump’s Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, and her willingness to listen to our farmers, the price of eggs has fallen to $3.45 per dozen as of March 17 – an almost 50 percent reduction in cost.

While working families were paying more just to get by, President Biden was focused intensely on government subsidies for luxury electric vehicles to reward his wealthy environmentalist friends and allies with a massive $7,500 tax credit. Seventy eight percent of these credits are claimed by people who make more than $100,000 per year. And what did working Americans get? Record high gas prices!

In Missouri, families experienced prices that reached $4.68 per gallon at their peak and a year ago stood at $3.21 per gallon. As of January 20, gas prices still stood at $3.10 on average. On Day One of his presidency, President Trump ended the war on American-made energy with executive orders that reversed approximately 78 executive actions by the Biden Administration that had made it harder to produce energy here at home. He also declared a National Energy Emergency and issued an executive order directing his administration to fully unleash American energy.

These are tangible results that matter to families all over America, especially in Missouri. But we have lots more to accomplish. In Congress, I’m working with my House Republican colleagues to deliver on President Trump’s promise to lower taxes for workers and small businesses. 

During his first four years in office, the President and Congress achieved historic tax relief through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The results of that bill speak for themselves: wages increased 4.9 percent, the fastest growth in 20 years; Americans earning under $100,000 received an average tax cut of 16 percent; and real median household income rose by $5,000.

If Congress does not act, American families and small businesses will be hit with the largest tax increase in American history, which is why as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, I have led the effort to pass all of President Trump’s priorities in one big, beautiful bill. Failure is not an option – not with so much at stake for Missouri families.


When President Trump makes a promise, he keeps it.

Nancy Hughes: Things and stuff

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

The hail slammed into the windshield of my husband's truck with the force of a sledgehammer. Carrying on a conversation as we drove through the storm would have been extremely hard but conversation was unnecessary. The phone call we had received minutes earlier was heart-stopping: 

“A tornado directly hit Don and Barb's house. We don't know if they are okay or not.” We ran to our truck and raced to their home, praying silently that the news was wrong. It was not. Nor were we prepared for what we saw.

The two-story home – once viewed as a showplace for anyone driving by – was missing the entire north side. The giant fist of the tornado had ripped the wall away, but had chosen to leave a baby bed in a second-floor bedroom with its sheets tucked in without a wrinkle. Glass was splintered everywhere, with huge shards sticking out of trees mercilessly ripped from the ground and tossed against the house. Metal was twisted in every shape imaginable and hurled into the yard and field around the home, along with the belongings of this precious family.

As we rushed through what was once the front door of their home, tears followed relief as we heard the voices of our friends in the basement, talking with neighbors who had arrived before us. I hugged Barbara and whispered "I am so relieved you are okay but everything you own . . . it's destroyed! I am so sorry!" Her reply to me was spoken with a confidence and peace that only the Lord can give: "Things and stuff, Nancy. That's all this is. Things and stuff. We are both okay. God protected us. We are very thankful."

What a beautiful response to a catastrophe that would certainly shake the foundation for most of us. Was Barbara in shock at what had happened? Of course. Was she broken-hearted at what had been lost? Sure. She knew that some of the things could be replaced . . . many could not. But her focus was not on everything around her . . . the "things and stuff." Instead she focused on the fact that God had protected her and her husband through a horrific storm.

In the middle of a big loss was an even bigger truth: God is in control. Our home and everything we own on earth is temporary. There is no guarantee that everything we have today will be here tomorrow or even that WE will be here tomorrow. Barbara's treasure was not here on earth. Her heart - though sad at the loss - did not focus on the lost but on the saved: she and her husband. Their faith came from a deep relationship with Jesus, not a superficial trust in "things and stuff."

What is your heart focused on today? It's pretty certain that your treasure can be found there, too. As Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I encourage you today to focus on Jesus and give Him your heart. And in exchange, He will give you trust and peace that have nothing to do with "things and stuff."

Father, forgive me when I focus on the "things and stuff" of this life, and forget how blessed I am by what You did for me on the cross. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

Think back to a situation when you experienced a major loss of something you owned.

How did you respond? Anger? A need to replace it all no matter what? Or did you praise the Lord for His goodness in the middle of the loss?

Apply

Make a list of the "things and stuff" that you consider to be valuable to you.

Beside each item on the list, record a Scripture verse that helps you to focus on the eternal instead.

Power

Matthew 6:21 (NIV) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Mark 8:36 (NIV) “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

Luke 16:13 (NIV) "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.)

Jury finds Arma man guilty of 2023 murder on Pittsburg Main Street

(From the Crawford County District Attorney's Office)

Collin Paul Gepford, 45, of Arma, Kansas, was convicted by a jury of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault and criminal possession of a firearm.

The incident took place on February 17, 2023 on Main Street in Pittsburg. Officers received a 911 call to shots fired in the area. Crawford County Sheriff's Department, Pittsburg Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol arrived on scene.

Upon arrival, they found David Mays deceased with a gunshot wound to his chest. Gephard was on scene and was taken into custody.

Through the investigation, it was ascertained that Gepford, Travis Conness and David Mays had lured a male to the scene. Gephard fired into the man's vehicle. The man fled on foot and Gephard fired at him as he ran from the scene.

KHP K9 Apollo located both firearms used in this incident.

The defendant will be sentenced on May 20, 2025. The case was prosecuted by Deputy County Attorney Christina Lloyd.

Missouri health department rejects Planned Parenthood plan to start medication abortions

By Anna Spoerre

Missouri Independent

Missouri Planned Parenthood clinics remain unable to offer medication abortions after the state rejected their complication plans this week.

Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, which operates clinics in the St. Louis region, Rolla and Springfield, and Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which operates clinics in Kansas City and Columbia, received a letter from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Thursday stating their complication plans did not meet state requirements.

The decision means that almost five months after voters approved a constitutional amendment restoring abortion rights, the most common method to terminate a pregnancy is not available in Missouri.

This rejection was based on the criteria of an emergency rule published the same day by the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office.

That rule requires the complication plan for any facility prescribing abortion medication to more than 10 women a month must: Have an on-call OB-GYN who lives within 25 miles of the clinic available at all times for seven days after a patient takes the medication. This physician would be required to treat any complications that arise as a result of the medication unless the standard of care requires someone else to treat them.
Provide for patients who live further than 25 miles from the clinic, the name of the emergency room and a physician “within a reasonable distance of the location where the patient will complete the abortion.”
Submit the full names of all physicians involved in the local complication plans.

While three clinics —Columbia, Kansas City and St. Louis — have resumed some procedural abortions, Planned Parenthood leadership have said they will not begin prescribing medication abortions without an approved complication plan.

Leadership with Planned Parenthood Great Rivers is still deciding on next steps, a spokesperson said.

The Department of Health and Senior Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement in February, department spokeswoman Sami Jo Freeman said complication plans are “important to ensure the safety of patients because medication abortions will likely be completed at home without a physician present.”

When the clinics submitted their complication plans in February, they did not include the names of any physicians involved. The proposals state that patients could contact the clinic at any time with concerns, including an after-hours line staffed by licensed nurses who can refer calls to an on-call physician.

“If a potentially urgent complication is suspected based on the patient’s symptoms or the patient is not able to return to the health center in a timely way, the nurse will direct them to the emergency department (ED),” the initial plans submitted by Planned Parenthood read.

With the patient’s consent, the proposal continued, the ER would be told the patient’s medical history if possible. Planned Parenthood would follow up with the patient the next day.

Across the country, abortion medication is the most common method used to end a pregnancy.

In 2023, nearly two-thirds of abortions in the United States took place using medication as opposed to in-clinic procedures, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research group.

In states where abortion is legal, medication that induces a miscarriage is available to patients in their first trimester of pregnancy. Patients typically take two doses of medication, the second of which is often taken at home. In recent years, a growing number of women have been ordering abortion medication from online providers in the United States and abroad, including to states where abortion remains illegal.

 

According to the FDA, mifepristone is safe to use if taken as directed. Cramping and bleeding are common side effects of the medication. Those prescribed mifepristone are urged to call their doctor if they experience heavy bleeding, abdominal pain or a fever. The same guidance applies to those who recently underwent procedural abortions, experienced miscarriages or delivered a baby.

Since the medication was approved for use 28 years ago, only 32 deaths have been reported associated with mifepristone, according to the FDA.

Earlier this month, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a notice of an intent to serve a cease and desist letter to the Planned Parenthood clinics, doubling down on his demand that Planned Parenthood stop performing a type of abortion that its clinics aren’t actually offering patients.

Several Planned Parenthood clinics remained open even after the procedure was outlawed statewide in June 2022. The clinics primarily provide family planning services, cancer screenings and STI testing and treatment, including to patients on Medicaid.

Shortly after Missourians in November narrowly approved Amendment 3, granting the constitutional right to an abortion, Planned Parenthood sued the state, arguing dozens of regulations on abortion providers were no longer constitutional.



In mid-February, a Jackson County judge struck down most of the regulations, allowing Planned Parenthood to resume in-clinic procedural abortions for the first time in years.

The first abortion to happen in Missouri since the procedure was outlawed statewide in June 2022 took place in February at a Kansas City clinic. In early March, procedural abortions returned to the clinic in Columbia for the first time since 2018.

And on Thursday, the clinic in St. Louis quietly performed its first two abortions since 2022.

The clinic plans to take additional abortion patients who are earlier than 12 weeks gestation over the coming weeks, but the number of days abortion is provided in St. Louis will depend on physicians’ schedules, Nick Dunne, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, said Friday.

Staff at the St. Louis clinic did not initially indicate they would bring back procedural abortions this soon.

“Ahead of the December ruling, our staff had been preparing to start providing medication abortion — including staff training, as well as ordering supplies and medications,” Dunne said in a statement. “Recognizing more recently that we were likely to face additional hurdles from state officials on medication abortion, our medical and patient services teams pivoted to allocating staff, equipment, and other necessary resources in order to begin offering procedural abortion again.”

 

Planned Parenthood likely won’t be able to begin offering procedural abortions at its clinics in Rolla or Springfield until additional physicians are hired, Dunne said, adding that Planned Parenthood is “working aggressively” to expand their physician numbers.

There are currently two long-term staff physicians and one contracted physician at Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, which also oversees the clinic in Fairview Heights. The two long-term physicians are both based in the St. Louis area.

Traci Cox named Carthage city administrator

(From the City of Carthage)

The Carthage City Council has officially appointed Traci Cox as City Administrator during its meeting on Tuesday, March 25. Cox has been serving as Interim City Administrator and brings extensive experience in municipal government, having worked in local government since 1995.

“Traci’s dedication to municipal government and her leadership in Carthage have been invaluable,” said Mayor Snow. “She has demonstrated a strong ability to guide our city forward, and we are confident in her vision and experience.”

As City Administrator, Cox will continue to oversee daily city operations, collaborate with elected officials, and continue efforts to enhance the community’s growth and development.

The City of Carthage extends its congratulations to Traci Cox and looks forward to her continued leadership in this vital role.

Diamond R-4 launches search for superintendent

(From the Diamond R-4 School District)

The Diamond R-IV Board of Education has officially launched the search for the district’s next superintendent. The Board is committed to selecting a leader who will prioritize student success, support staff excellence, and strengthen community partnerships across the district.

To ensure a professional and thorough search process, the Board is working in partnership with the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA). MSBA will assist in facilitating community engagement, guiding the search process, and identifying highly qualified candidates who align with the district’s values and long-term goals.

“Our focus is on the future of Diamond,” said Tracy Danner, President of the Diamond R-IV Board of Education. “We are committed to finding a superintendent who will build on our district’s strengths and lead with integrity, innovation, and a clear vision for student success.”

The search will include opportunities for community input through a community and faculty/staff surveys, to ensure the voices of students, staff, parents, and residents are heard throughout the process.

Updates and information about the superintendent search process will be shared regularly on the district’s website at https://www.diamondwildcats.org/

The Board encourages community members to stay engaged and involved as the process moves forward.

The Diamond R-IV Board of Education remains committed to a transparent, inclusive, and student-focused approach in the selection of the next superintendent.

Three businesses pass Joplin Health Department inspections

Three businesses passed routine Joplin Health Department inspections today, according to the department's website.

Those passing the inspections were:

Rock 'N Rolled Ice Cream, 1802 W. 32nd Street

Lotus Garden, 1818 W. 7th Street

The Grind (Mobile), 13714 Jay Drive, Neosho

Former Carl Junction choir teacher asks for bond reduction on stalking, child pornography charges

Former Carl Junction R-1 choir teacher Craig Smith, currently being held in the Jasper County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash only bond for stalking is asking for a bond reduction.

Smith's attorney, Jonathan Pierce, filed the motion Tuesday noting that his client is a retired Carl Junction school teacher, is able to gain part-time employment and has no prior convictions for felonies or misdemeanors.

Smith's trial court arraignment on stalking and possession of child pornography charges is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The Turner Report: Probable cause. Former CJ teacher stalked girl from sixth grade through high school

MSSU Lion's Den fails Joplin Health Department inspection

MSSU Lion's Den failed the Joplin Health Department's routine food inspection today with three violations listed.

The Lion's Den was cited for having "potentially hazardous foods in the Continental Underground Cooler (below sandwich press)" with the temperate above 41 degrees Fahrenheit, with a second violation because that cooler's seals were worn and not allowing the door to close properly.

The third violation was for an accumulation of dust on the ceiling in the dishwashing room.

Eight facilities received passing inspections today:

Lucy's Ensenada Mexican Restaurant, 2705 S. Range Line Road

Logan's Roadhouse, 208 N. Range Line Road

Moe's Southwest Grill, 3120 S. Main

Las Brasas, 1202 S. Range Line Road

Soul's Harbor Kitchen, 915 S. Main

Great Western Dining- Robert Corley Dining Hall, 2901 S. St. John's Boulevard

Sum'Na Eat, 1218 W. 7th Street

Habaneros Mexican Grill No. 2, 2526 E 7th Street

Two facilities passed inspection Wednesday:

Golden Dragon, 1020 S. Range Line Road

Tropicana Bar and Grill, 2401 S. Main Street (revisit)

Republican lawmaker proposes bill to require Ten Commandments in Missouri schools

By Natanya Friedheim

Columbia Missourian

A bill in the Missouri Senate’s education committee concerning religion in the classroom had senators, faith-based leaders and school advocates at odds Tuesday.

If passed, Senate Bill 594 would require classrooms to display a poster of at least 11 inches by 14 inches with the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Missouri students would see the words “I AM THE LORD thy God” followed by the Ten Commandments posted in every public and charter school classroom they enter.

“I honestly believe that when prayer went out of schools, and religion was removed from schools, that guns came in and violence came in,” the bill sponsor, state Sen. Jamie Burger, (pictured) a Benton Republican, said during the hearing.

In opposition to the bill, Democratic state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City expressed concern about the costs of potential litigation. She also opposed the bill on principle. “This goes against the very founding of our nation,” she said.

Burger disagreed. After a back and forth, he said, “You know one thing, I think, when they talk about separation of church and state, I think they were talking about, we don’t want any church ran by the state. That’s my feelings. That’s my interpretation.”

Faith leaders testified both in support of and opposition to the bill — and people on both sides took issue with the version of the Ten Commandments included in the bill.

Faiths that adhere to the Ten Commandments, including Judaism, Catholicism and Lutheranism, have different versions of it, so the bill would “take sides in a deeply theological debate,” said Brian Kaylor, a Baptist minister and president of Word & Way, an online publication.

“This bill would make many students feel like second-class citizens in their own classrooms, just because they come from a religious tradition that lists the Ten Commandments differently, they adhere to a religious faith that does not even include the Ten Commandments, or they have no faith at all,” he added.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed a similar bill into law last year. A federal judge blocked the law in November, and the state appealed the court’s decision.

In 1980’s Stone v. Graham decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar law in Kentucky violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which states “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion.”

For Sage Coram of the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, the bill violates the U.S. and Missouri constitutions. Children are required to attend school, and SB 594 could pressure students into adopting the state’s preferred religion, usurping parents’ right to choose what religious doctrine, if any, to instill in their children, Coram said at the hearing.

Bev Ehlen of Liberty Link Missouri supported the bill but asked that “kill” be replaced with “murder” in “Thou shalt not kill.”

State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville, who chairs the education committee, spoke at length in favor of the measure. He cited his belief that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation.

“We just need to be willing to plant that flag,” Brattin said, “that God, and the God of the Ten Commandments, is who gave us this amazing nation, and we need to be able to reflect and look at that.”

Photo by Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian.

Missouri bill to overturn voter-approved paid sick leave clears Senate committee

By Clara Bates

Missouri Independent

A Republican-led push to overturn the paid sick leave law adopted by Missouri voters last year was debated and approved Wednesday by a state Senate committee.

The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Sherri Gallick of Belton, was passed by the House earlier this month and would gut Proposition A, a voter-approved law requiring most employers starting May 1 to provide paid sick time off for hundreds of thousands of qualifying workers.

State Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Republican from Belton, speaks in March during Missouri House debate.- Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)

Gallick called the law, which also increased the state’s minimum wage, a “one-two punch for Missouri businesses” that will increase the cost of goods and services and have an adverse impact on small businesses in rural parts of the state.

 

She has said workers will “abuse” the leave.

Gallick’s bill would also modify the minimum wage law by removing the requirement that it be indexed to inflation.

The bill was passed out of committee Wednesday on a 5 to 2 vote party-line immediately following a contentious public hearing, with Democrats opposing.

The committee chair, state Sen. Curtis Trent of Springfield, said that although usually there is at least one week between the public hearing and committee vote, it’s “extremely clear…there is not really an opportunity for further deliberation by the committee” and that pushing the bill forward immediately would allow “robust debate and consideration” by the full Senate.

If approved by the Senate without changes, the bill would go to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who has voiced support for the proposal. There is no emergency clause, so it wouldn’t go into effect until Aug. 28 — months after the sick leave law goes into effect.

Richard Von Glahn, policy director for Missouri Jobs with Justice, the organization that helped lead the campaign for Proposition A, said it was modeled on paid sick leave policies in 18 other states. The initiative petition passed in rural, suburban and urban counties across the state and received 58% of the vote statewide.

“Opponents made their argument, we made our argument and the voters spoke,” Von Glahn said.

Gallick’s bill is “refutation of the public will,” he added. “It will make Missouri workers more likely to have to go to work while sick, jeopardizing their own health, the health of their coworkers and of Missouri workplaces.”

Many of the same industry groups who are challenging Proposition A in the state Supreme Court testified in support of the bill Wednesday.

Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called the law, especially paid sick leave, a “job killer.”

“We believe that this one size fits all approach to paid sick leave is unworkable,” Corches said.

Buddy Lahl, from the Missouri Restaurant Association, called the requirements on businesses “extremely cumbersome” and said the law is a “slippery slope” for what businesses will be required to provide.

“Fixing Proposition A is not even an option, fixing the sick pay. It just needs to be eliminated. It’s just too erroneous. And I only listed some of the bigger issues. Every line in there is a problem for a small business,” Lahl said.

When Lahl said the only fix is to eliminate the law, state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat, responded: “That’s not happening, The only path you have is to maybe make some small changes.”

State Sen. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat, said restaurant workers without sick time who go to work because they need a paycheck for public health.

Proposition A passed with the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners. It guarantees sick leave for hundreds of thousands of workers and gradually hikes the minimum wage to $15. The measure won by a margin of over 400,000 votes.

Under the law, beginning May 1, the law requires employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year to provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours. The law also gradually increases the minimum wage.

Under Gallick’s bill, the minimum wage would still increase to $15 per hour in 2026, as voters approved, but it would not be adjusted for inflation thereafter — a policy that has been in place since 2007. The sick leave provisions would be repealed entirely.

Because the measure changed state law and not the constitution, the legislature can modify or overturn it without returning for a new vote of the people.

The bill passed out of the House on a vote of 96 to 51 earlier this month.

Lamar woman sentenced to seven years for morphine possession

(From the Barton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

Sarah Elizabeth Bohrn entered a guilty plea in three separate cases on January 16 2025 in the Circuit Court of Barton County, Missouri. Bohrn pleaded guilty as follows:

-To the class D felony of possession of a controlled substance, morphine, for events occurring on February 14, 2018 in Lamar, Missouri.

-To the class E felony of resisting arrest for events occurring on July 16, 2022

-To the class E felony of resisting arrest for events occurring on September 21, 2022.

On March 26, 2025, Judge David Munton sentenced to Bohrn to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for possession of a controlled substance; to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for resisting arrest and to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for resisting arrest, all terms to run consecutively. The court retained jurisdiction under Section 217.362 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

Bohrn is being held in the Barton County Jail awaiting transportation to the Department of Corrections.

All three cases were investigated by the Lamar Police Department.

Government recommends 50-year sentence for Joplin man on child pornography charge

In a sentencing memo filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the government asked for a 50-year sentence for Russell Myers, 44, Joplin, who pleaded guilty to September 26 to child pornography charges.

Myers' sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 8 in Springfield.

After Myers serves his 50-year sentence, the government asked that he then be placed on lifetime supervision.

Myers' crimes were detailed in the memorandum.

On February 6, 2024, Cyber Tipline Report (CTR) # 186573294 was transmitted to law enforcement by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The CTR was generated by MeetMe.com on February 6, 2024, after chat history detailing possible child molestation was discovered on their platform. The CTR included the chat history between the defendant, Russell Myers, and another individual. 

During the exchange of messages, the defendant transmitted messages stating that he wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with a particular child, that he performs sexually explicit acts upon the child “almost daily,” and that the last such incident was “2 weekends ago.” 

In other messages contained in the CTR, the defendant advised other users that he liked young children and inferred that he was engaged in sexual contact with a boy and girl.

A Department of Homeland Security forensic investigator interviewed the two children, an 11-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy who described acts that Myers forced them to perform on him. A computer forensic examiner found more than 100 image and video files containing child pornography.

Sexually explicit videos depicting the two children were discovered during the search.

In its argument for a lengthy sentence for Myers, the government noted that he abused children for years and bragged about the abuse.

Myers also had a previous history of crimes against children, the memorandum said.

The defendant has prior conviction for domestic battery and resisting a peace officer. More disturbingly, the defendant was charged with sexual battery of a five-year old child, and later was investigated for sexually assaulting three other minors. The defendant also indicated in messages recovered during the investigation that he had previously sexually assaulted other children.

The defendant presents a clear and ongoing danger to the community. The defendant has subjected at least two children to unimaginable injury. These children deserve certainty that the defendant will never have the opportunity to harm them or other children ever again.  

Wrongful death lawsuit claim: Frank's Lounge kept serving visibly intoxicated driver before fatal crash

A wrongful death lawsuit filed Tuesday in Newton County Circuit Court by the father of a woman who was killed in a drunk driving crash claims Frank's Lounge, 2112 S. Main, Joplin, kept serving the driver even though the man was visibly intoxicated.

Dedrian Bridgett, 43, Carthage, was killed September 25 in a two-vehicle crash at East 44th and S. Main Street. A northbound black Toyota SUV was making a left turn onto 44th Street when it collided with a blue Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling southbound on Main. Bridgett was a passenger on the motorcycle, which was driven by Andrew Brill, 45, Carthage, who was charged with driving while intoxicated-death of another and is awaiting trial in Newton County Circuit Court. Brill is listed as a defendant in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by Dedrian Bridgett's father, Dearman Bridgett, Springfield, who is represented by William Warren Sachs of Aaron Sachs and Associates.

From the petition:

On September 25, 2024, Andrew Brill was a patron at Defendant’s bar/lounge. On September 25, 2024, Andrew Brill was visibly intoxicated while at Defendant’s bar/lounge. On September 25, 2024, Defendant Frank’s Lounge, LLC, through its agents and/or employees knowingly served intoxicating beverages to Andrew Brill when Defendant Frank’s Lounge, LLC, through its agents and/or employees knew or should have known that Andrew Brill was visibly intoxicated. 

After leaving Defendant Frank’s Lounge, LLC’s on September 25, 2024, Andrew Brill was involved in a motorcycle collision as a result of his intoxication. Deadrian Bridgett was a passenger on Andrew Brill’s motorcycle and because of the collision was ejected from the motorcycle. 

Deadrian Bridgett died at the scene of the collision as a result of the collision related injuries. 

The second count of the lawsuit charges Brill with negligence.

At the time and place of the collision, Defendant had the duty to exercise the highest degree of care in the operation of his motorcycle. 

Defendant was negligent in that: 

He failed to keep a careful lookout; 

 He knew or by the exercise of the highest degree of care could have known of the reasonable likelihood of a collision in time thereafter to have stopped, slackened speed, and/or swerved, but Defendant failed to do so; 

 He failed to pay adequate attention to the roadway and the presence of other vehicles; 

and he operated his motorcycle while intoxicated.

Allegation- CJ athletes vandalized, left racial slurs at family's home 2 years ago, still no justice despite witnesses

Open and shut case.

Juveniles entered a home, threw a rock through the glass back door, left racist symbols, including a swastika, spray painted racial slurs on the televisions, cut wires and left an obscene drawing.

Fortunately for the homeowners, there were witnesses to the crime, who were able to identify the culprits, a group that allegedly included Carl Junction school athletes.

That open and shut case involving vandalism and the violation of a family's home remains an open case two years later.

In an unusual step, the Carl Junction Police Department responded to a viral Facebook post about the crime Tuesday, sending the message that the investigation into the crime was recently reopened and that the investigation results have been forwarded to juvenile authorities:

We have been made aware of a Facebook post put out by the frustrated victim of a burglary. We understand the frustration as the case was initially inactivated due to a lack of evidence tying anyone to the crime. 

However, we later got new information about the incident, and Detective (Greg) Dagnan (who did not work for us at the time of the incident) reopened the investigation.

Once the suspects were identified and found to be juveniles, Det. Dagnan presented the case to the Juvenile Office for them to consider charges against the juvenile suspects.

This Facebook post from Devani O'Dell is the one that brought the police department's response:

I am beyond frustrated and disappointed by the lack of action from law enforcement regarding a serious incident that occurred at my home 2 YEARS AGO IN CARL JUNCTION. 

My property was broken into by a group of kids who not only destroyed my belongings but also spray-painted racial slurs throughout my house. This is more than just vandalism; this is also a hate crime, and I believe the “POSSIBLE” charges that have been mentioned should reflect that—SECOND DEGREE BURGLARY WITH ENHANCEMENT OF HATE CRIME.

What makes this situation even worse is that there are witnesses, and it is clear that the parents of these kids know exactly what happened. However, I have yet to receive any form of justice or accountability.

The parents haven’t reached out to apologize or anything, and they continue with their daily lives as if nothing happened. This is disgusting, and frankly, it’s heartbreaking to see this kind of behavior go unaddressed.

To make matters worse, these same kids are representing the school on sports teams. 

How are we allowing this kind of behavior to go unchecked? 

I won’t name names just yet but let me make one thing clear: I know exactly who you are, and I will not let this go unnoticed. I will be actively looking for an attorney who specializes in crimes like this, as law enforcement has shown little concern. 

Not to mention, they closed this case at first! 

It was then picked back up by Detective Dagnan who has done great. This is not just about broken property; it’s about ensuring that accountability is held, and that this kind of behavior is not excused.
Please, share away. Maybe this will get the attention of these kids’ parents, so they realize I won’t be letting this disgusting occurrence go.

Body found in Miami County, Kansas pond identified as Jordan Yust

Miami County, Kansas authorities confirmed today that a body found in a pond has been identified as Jordan Yust, Olathe, who has been missing since March 3.

Yust has relatives who live in the Joplin area.

The following news release was issued by the Miami County Sheriff's Office:

Update: The body has been positively identified as Jordan Yust, who was reported missing from Olathe, Kansas. Identification was confirmed through an autopsy and fingerprint analysis. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but there are no signs of foul play.

The Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest condolences to Jordan’s family and friends. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of our staff, local and out-of-county first responders, and everyone who has offered support over the past three weeks.

Earlier news release 

On March 24, 2025, at approximately 5:29 p.m., the Miami County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of 247th Street and 69 Highway for a death investigation. A property owner had discovered a deceased male in a pond on their property.

Upon arrival, law enforcement located the body of an adult male in the water. Given the pond’s proximity to where Jordan Yust’s vehicle was found three weeks ago and the description of the deceased, authorities believe the individual may be Jordan Yust. However, a positive identification is pending an autopsy.

The property had previously been searched extensively by boat, land, and air within the first week of Jordan’s disappearance, yielding no clues at the time. Investigators are now working to determine when the body may have entered the water.

Family members were present at the scene during the recovery, supporting one another through this difficult time.

Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Miami County EMS, Louisburg Fire Department, Olathe Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit.

This case remains an active investigation by the Miami County Sheriff’s Office and the Olathe Police Department. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.