Blunt-Klobuchar resolution recognizes November 23 as National Adoption Day

(From Senator Roy Blunt)

I serve as Senate co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. For the fifth year in a row, my fellow co-chair, Senator Klobuchar, and I introduced and the Senate passed a resolution recognizing November 23 as National Adoption Day.

As an adoptive dad myself, I know just how much joy welcoming a child into your home can bring.

Earlier this week, I was proud to speak on the Senate floor about three Missouri families who have gone above and beyond in the adoption community. I also shared stories about several young Missourians who are in the foster care system right now and are eager to be adopted by a loving family.

Gabe is in 10th grade, loves to read, and hopes to one day join the military.

Ragan and Haylee are sisters who would love to have pets in their home.

Natalie loves to draw and write and enjoys going to school.

These kids all have different interests, talents, and aspirations, but what they all have in common is the need for a family to call their own.

There are more than 437,000 children in the foster care system across the U.S., and more than 125,000 of those are kids ready to be adopted.

I’ve worked in the Senate to make adoption more affordable, help ensure adoptive families have the support they need, and improve the intercountry adoption process.

National Adoption Day began in 2000, and since then, tens of thousands of children have been adopted. Tomorrow is a special day to raise awareness around the importance of adoption.

If you’ve considered adoption or would simply like to learn more, the Missouri Department of Social Services has helpful information available here: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/adoption/

As families prepare to come together around the Thanksgiving table next week, I hope you’ll take a moment to join me in recognizing the importance of helping every child find the safe, loving home they deserve.

Billy Long: President Trump's battle to save health care from Democrats and Medicare for All

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

As Democrats move further to the left and begin touting legislation in step with their extreme beliefs, the private sector is bracing itself for impact.

Perhaps the Democrats' most infamous proposal, Medicare for All, promises to enforce strict regulations that will essentially eliminate private and employer-sponsored healthcare and do away with specialized healthcare for seniors and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). 

These radical changes to America’s healthcare system threaten to destabilize a vulnerable system with the potential to create an aftershock that will impact millions of Americans. 

Unfortunately, the medical community isn’t the only industry at risk. As Democrats begin to embrace this trend of proposing regulation-heavy legislation, virtually all of American businesses are vulnerable.

If implemented, Medicare for All will create a government-controlled healthcare monopoly by eliminating health insurance options and forcing all Americans to use a one-size-fits-all plan.

This plan would have a catastrophic effect on the insurance industries and is estimated to cost $32 trillion over the next decade, with the burden of cost left squarely on the shoulders of American taxpayers.

Ultimately, this plan would create long wait times for often life-saving tests or procedures and significantly hinder the quality of care Americans receive.

The fear the medical community has is palatable, especially given the uncertainty of regulations that would surely follow such a massive piece of legislation.

Obamacare, which was over 2,000 pages long when signed into law, led to nearly 20,000 additional pages of regulations associated with the law, all while the federal government struggled to set up a website to get people signed up for insurance.

A massive $32 trillion government takeover of health care would undoubtedly create thousands of pages of regulations that the medical community will have to sort through.

Fortunately, President Trump has vowed to fight against socialized healthcare and is actively seeking to cut red tape on a government-wide scale. Since taking office, President Trump has cut eight and a half regulations for every new rule; these deregulatory efforts have slashed household costs by nearly $50 billion and will save Americans an estimated $3,100 annually.

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As wages and job creation rises, it is evident that President Trump’s deregulation effort is benefiting American workers. By cutting regulatory red tape, President Trump is restoring freedom and transparency as well as putting money back in Americans’ wallets, effectively demonstrating the benefit of passing legislation with as few regulations as possible.

With a booming economy and the stock market at a record high, it’s clear that the president’s plan is working, and restrictive legislation like Medicare for All would only hinder our personal freedoms and economic growth.

Passing restrictive laws like Medicare for All is not only irresponsible, it would have a devastating impact on the medical community with crippling economic consequences.

Attempting to enact one-size-fits-all legislation to complex industries like the healthcare community only stifles innovation and economic growth, creating a ripple effect with a wide-reaching impact. Instead, enacting legislation that sensibly eliminates burdensome regulations has proven incredibly beneficial for Americans. Ultimately, removing harmful barriers enables the public and U.S. industries to make the best choices for themselves, and our present economy serves as the best example.

Cleaver: Work on legislation continues even as impeachment progresses

(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)

It has been another busy week for the House of Representatives as we continue to pass legislation to the benefit of the American people.

While I am certain you have been paying close attention to the public impeachment hearings, the work of Congress does not stop at the oversight of the Executive Branch. 

As I examined the evidence of potential high-crimes and misdemeanors during the evenings, I understand Congress must continue legislating on issues important to our constituents during the day.

I am happy to report the Financial Services Committee, of which I Chair a subcommittee, was especially active this week, passing six different pieces of legislation through the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. 

These bills deal with important issues, such as allowing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to better protect American investors from predatory financial activities, reforming disaster relief programs to ensure disaster relief is distributed efficiently and equitably, providing federal housing assistance to youths who are aging out of foster care, and enabling Indian Tribes better access to homeless assistance. 

I’m proud to say I was a cosponsor of H.R. 3702, H.R. 4300, H.R. 4344, and H.R. 4029, which tackle all of these issues head on.

However, I take distinct pride in the passage of H.R. 4634, which reauthorizes the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) for seven years. 

For those who are unaware, TRIA was passed into law following the September 11 attacks in 2001 and created the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program. This program is critically important to the stability of the American economy and our national security. 

While TRIA may not be well-known to most, that is due to the fact the program has done its job in protecting businesses and the economy at-large from rising insurance rates and major disruptions in the insurance markets.

In today’s dollars, the September 11 attacks caused more than $40 billion in estimated insured losses. 

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After such devastating financial costs, insurers and reinsurers pulled back from offering terrorism coverage. Many feared that a lack of insurance against terrorism loss would have a wide-ranging economic impact, particularly because insurance coverage can be a significant factor in lending decisions. 

Congress took action to prevent massive disruption in the insurance market by passing TRIA in 2002, and the program has been extended three times due to its success.

As Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, I’ve been proactive in trying to extend the program so that Congress can avoid its typical legislate-by-deadline strategy when the program expires in 2020. 

In May, I hosted a roundtable discussion on TRIA in Kansas City with Congressmen Lacy Clay (MO), Al Green (TX), Ed Perlmutter (CO), and local stakeholders in attendance. We had a fruitful discussion where we were able to hear from local businesses and insurers on what was working and ways in which we could improve the program.

After taking these ideas and perspectives back to Washington and working with Republicans to find a bipartisan extension, I helped put together H.R. 4634 and co-introduced the bill as an original sponsor. 

Following a markup hearing last month to gather even more input from industry stakeholders, I was pleased to see the bill taken up for a vote by the full House and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support this week. 

The Senate is already working on its version of the bill, and I’m hopeful we can reach an agreement that would allow Congress to send legislation to the President’s desk for his signature.

You may be wondering how this affects Kansas City. I like to remind people that the Midwest is not immune from potential terror attacks, and, in fact, the first major terrorist attack in America occurred in Oklahoma City. 

Many people are unaware that Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, actually stopped in Kansas City on his way to Oklahoma. God forbid, should a terrorist attack our city, or any city in the United States, the financial damages to small businesses and large businesses alike could be calamitous. By extending TRIA, we ensure the stability of our economy, and close any window of potential vulnerability should the program expire.

I understand that many people and the media are focused on the public impeachment hearings. I believe this focus is well-warranted as evidence of corruption continues to mount against this administration. However, I want to let you know that the House of Representatives, the Financial Services Committee, and myself remain hard at work addressing issues facing everyday Americans. As the House continues its work for the people, I will be sure to keep you apprised.

Federal grand jury indicts Joplin man on child pornography charges

U. S. Marshals arrested John Caleb Price, 31, Joplin, Wednesday on child pornography charges

A federal grand jury indictment against Price was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri when he had his initial appearance.







According to the indictment Price received and distributed child pornography between January 1, 2018 and June 25, 2019 in Jasper County.

A scheduling conference is scheduled for November 26. A public defender has been appointed for Price.

Bill White: Update offered on Prescription Drug Transparency Interim Committee

Missouri Southern names presidential search committee

(From Southern News Service)

Members of the presidential search committee were announced today following a closed session by Missouri Southern State University’s Board of Governors.

The committee will make recommendations to the board as part of the search for the next university president.

The search committee members, who represent the Missouri Southern campus and local community, are:

Scott Boudreaux, MSSU Foundation

Steven Brunson, MSSU Staff Senate

Alan Cook, MSSU Lionbackers

Linda Dean, MSSU Alumni Association

Darren Fullerton, MSSU Vice President of Student Affairs

Jerrod Hogan, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Nicholas Nicoletti, MSSU’s Empowering U program

Dr. Rebecca Mouser, MSSU Faculty Senate

Sarah Schultz, MSSU Student Senate

Phil Stinnett, city of Joplin

The search committee will also include board members Alison Hershewe, Carlos Haley, T. Mark Elliott and Bill Gipson.

“The search committee members were nominated by individual entities,” said Gipson, chair of the Board of Governors. “The next step is to meet and begin discussing the results of the search firm process. Proposals were solicited for a search firm to assist in the identification of presidential candidates.”

Gipson said the search committee intends to meet before the next board meeting in January.

Earlier this fall, Dr. Alan Marble – the university’s current president – announced his intention to retire as of June 30, 2020.

In other business, the board welcomed two new members, who were recently appointed by Gov. Mike Parson.

Mariann Morgan, of Carthage, is an attorney with Checkett & Pauly P.C. in Carthage. Ron Richard, owner of C & N Bowling Corp. in Joplin, formerly served in the Missouri Senate from 2010-18 and in the House of Representatives from 2002-10.

They replace Tracy Flanigan, whose term ended on Aug. 30, and Michael Franks, who recently announced his resignation.

Joplin City Council schedules special closed meeting for personnel discussion

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, will hold a Special Meeting beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2019 at Joplin City Hall, in the 5th floor Council Chambers, 602 S. Main Street, for the purpose stated below.

AGENDA 

1. Reading of the Special Call

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America








4. Roll Call

5 Closed Session
Vote to go into closed session, which shall pertain to the hiring, firing, disciplining, or promotion of an employee or particular employees of a governmental body involving personal information; as set forth in Section 610.021 (3) RSMo, as amended, 2018. This meeting, record, and vote to be closed to the extent provided by law. The City Council shall adjourn at the end of the session.

6. Any other business

Carthage R-9 Board authorizes committee to raise $5 million for Performing Arts Center

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, November 18, 2019, 6:00 pm, at Fairview Elementary. Present were Board members Jeff Jones, Lee Elliff Pound, Niki Cloud, Elizabeth Streich, Bill Lasley, and Wayne Jones. Tony Diggs was unable to attend. 

Fairview students Kellen McGuire and Sofia Velazco-Hernandez led the Pledge of Allegiance. Third grade students provided patriotic songs under the direction of vocal music teacher Mrs. Cendy Orr. 

The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, monthly financial reports, employee health insurance plan for calendar year 2020, filing dates for the annual Board election, FY19 audit report, contract Sixth Grade Center Re-Roof Project, and a new and revised policy and regulation. 

Artists of the Month awards were distributed to November winners. 

Mrs. Karla Rush, Carthage Intermediate Center Media Specialist, provided an evaluative report on Library/Media Services, Missouri School Improvement Program Area I-10. A new mobile cart with 15 laptops have been added at Steadley. STEAM and makerspace-type centers have been created in each media center. Makerspace activities include Legos with gears and motors, logic and strategy games, building challenges, Ozobots, and other hands-on activities. 

Mrs. Kandy Frazier, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, provided an evaluative report on Instructional Effectiveness, Missouri School Improvement Program Area I-1 – I-3 which includes state assessments, academic achievement, college and career readiness, performance/placements, as well as attendance and graduation rate. Ms. Beth Hunt, Mark Twain Assistant Principal and District Curriculum Director; Ms. Holley Goodnight, Carthage Technical Center Director; and Mrs. Jana Sawyer, EL Coordinator, provided additional data. 

Mrs. Elliff Pound provided a R-9 Foundation update. The Major Saver Card Campaign was an overall success with sales exceeding last year’s totals. Bricks for the new Tiger Activity Center are currently being sold. Bricks are $100.00 (4’’x 8”) and $500.00 (8”x 8”). 

The Board conducted the annual review of district naming rights menu approving the removal of the naming rights for the Autism Center and Tiger Activity Center while adding the naming rights for a Performing Arts Center and a South Technical Center addition. 

Approval was granted by the Board to create a Performing Arts Fundraising Committee. The committee will seek to raise five million dollars in pledges for a Performing Arts Center on the high school campus before consideration is made to place the Performing Arts Center on a bond election ballot. 

Several new and revised policies and regulations were presented to the Board for review. Final drafts will be considered for adoption at the December 16 regular meeting of the Board. 

Ms. Niki Cloud and Mr. Bill Lasley volunteered to serve on the John T. Belcher Scholarship Selection Committee. The committee will select a nominee to represent the district in this competitive scholarship application process. 

Mrs. Shelley Wilson, Carthage High School Counselor and District Crisis Team Leader, presented information regarding mental health concerns for students and staff. Mental health awareness was one of the top priority areas identified from the Carthage 2020 and Beyond survey. 

Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following items: 

 The district Pink Out Day raised $1,490. Staff members donated $5 to wear jeans. The funds will help offset the cost of mammograms financed by McCune-Brooks Healthcare Foundation. 

 Applauded the presentation to the Carthage High School and eighth grade classes by Manny Scott, an original Freedom Writer, whose story is told in part in the 2007 hit movie, Freedom Writers. Manny Scott has energized more than a million leaders, educators, volunteers, and students worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope. 

 Congratulations to Brayden Cole, Carthage High School Senior for winning the Class 1 100 Breaststroke Championship and setting a state record. 

 The next Carthage 2020 and Beyond meeting will discuss the proposed expansion of the Carthage Technical Center programs and the addition to the South Technical Center. 

 The Carthage High School Theatre and Music Departments will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat beginning Thursday, November 21, and will run through Saturday, November 23rd. Tickets can be purchased at showtix4u.com or emailing leee@carthagetigers.org. 

 High school students taking dual credit courses that obtain a silver rating will be offered three hours of elective credit at no cost through MSSU. 

 MSSU has committed to provide tuition free dual credit classes to students receiving free and reduced lunch benefits. 

The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss legal, personnel, and student matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (1), (3), and (6) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 

In closed session, the Board approved the following personnel actions: 

Employment 

Certified Staff: (2019-20 school year) 

Lauren Bailey EL Columbian 

Support Staff: 

Jessica Barrett Nurse Junior High 

Maria Figueroa Paraprofessional Fairview 

Ximena Figueroa Paraprofessional Fairview 

Carrie Pruiett Administrative Assistant Transportation 

Substitute Teachers: 

Lynne Burkhardt Substitute Teacher 

Angel Garcia Substitute Teacher 

Substitute Staff: 

Tony Mayfield Substitute Bus Driver 

Helen Taylor Substitute Cook 

Transfer: 

Dylan Jones Technician (Full Time) IT (Formerly: Part Time IT Tech) 

Bryan Shallenburger Special Services Director District (Formerly: Columbian Elementary Principal)

Bond revoked- Former Innovative Objects owner behind bars awaiting trial on $26 million fraud schemes

It only took three minutes for U. S. District Court Judge David P. Rush to revoke former Innovative Objects owner Russell Grundy's bond and put him in the Greene County Jail to await trial on 30 counts of fraud, in connection with schemes totaling $26 million.

Federal court records indicate Grundy, 50, a former Neosho resident who now lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina, violated the terms of his bond in that state.

His trial is scheduled to begin June 1, 2020 in Springfield.

A federal grand jury indicted Grundy in June 2017.








Grundy was owner of Innovative Objects in Joplin before selling the business to Miami Nations Enterprise, part of what the government says are his fraudulent dealings.

Out of the $26 million, the government alleges that the former owner of Innovative Objects, PILR Technology, Choice Technologies, Wyerless, and Audio Input, defrauded Miami Nations Enterprise, a claim that had been made earlier in a lawsuit filed in October 2015 in Greene County Circuit Court.

An additional $862,856, came when Grundy committed fraud against Land O'Lakes/Nutra Blend, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

From the release:

Grundy (through his company Innovative Objects) was contracted by Land O’Lakes, Inc., and its subsidiary, Nutra Blend, LLC, from January 2004 to Sept. 27, 2015, to create propriety software to inventory, track, and coordinate the disbursement of products. Grundy also contracted with Land O’Lakes and Nutra Blend to provide equipment and technical support for the use, upkeep and maintenance of the software.

The indictment alleges that Grundy falsely told Land O’Lakes and Nutra Blend that third party software programs were built into that proprietary software and were essential to the successful operation of the software.

Grundy (through his company Innovative Objects) was contracted by Land O’Lakes, Inc., and its subsidiary, Nutra Blend, LLC, from January 2004 to Sept. 27, 2015, to create propriety software to inventory, track, and coordinate the disbursement of products. Grundy also contracted with Land O’Lakes and Nutra Blend to provide equipment and technical support for the use, upkeep and maintenance of the software.

The indictment alleges that Grundy falsely told Land O’Lakes and Nutra Blend that third party software programs were built into that proprietary software and were essential to the successful operation of the software. Grundy allegedly claimed that some of the payments made to Innovative Objects were remitted to third party license holders. In reality, the indictment says, there were no third party licensee fees; instead, Grundy kept those payments for his personal or unrelated expenses.

The indictment charges Grundy with six counts of wire fraud related to a series of payments from August 2013 to April 2015, totaling $862,856.

Grundy engaged Miami Nations Enterprise in negotiations to provide financial assistance in the form of loans, and for Miami Nations Enterprise to purchase a controlling interest in all of Grundy’s technology-based companies.

According to the indictment, Grundy falsely told Miami Nations Enterprise that his companies had been awarded a $3.5 million contract from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., to develop and provide information technology services. Grundy allegedly presented numerous e-mails, invoices, conditional award letters and other documents to support his false claims. From May 19, 2014, to June 24, 2015, Miami Nations Enterprise loaned Grundy the money to cover the costs associated with software and hardware purchases and training necessary to obtain the $3.5 million Wal-Mart contract.









On Aug. 24, 2014, Miami Nations Enterprise paid an additional amount to purchase a 70 percent interest in Grundy’s companies.

Officials with Miami Nations Enterprise later discovered that neither Grundy nor any of his companies had been awarded any contract with Wal-Mart, and determined that the e-mails, conditional contract award, invoices and bank deposits Grundy had used to support his claims were fraudulently created.

The indictment charges Grundy with 10 counts of wire fraud related to a series of payments from May 19, 2014, to April 12, 2015, totaling $5,990,000

Miami Nations Enterprise alleged in its lawsuit against Grundy that he cheated them out of $24 million.

Parson appoints Ron Richard to MSSU Board of Governors

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

Ron Richard, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.

Mr. Richard is the owner of C & N Bowling Corporation in Joplin. He served in the Missouri Senate from 2010 - 2018, serving as President Pro Tempore from 2015 - 2018. 

Mr. Richard also served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2002 - 2010, serving as Speaker of the House from 2009 - 2010 and as Chairman of the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development. 

He is the only lawmaker in Missouri history to be elected by peers as Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tempore. 

Mr. Richard also formerly served as the Mayor of Joplin from 1994 - 1998. He currently serves on the Connect2Culture Board of Directors in Joplin and as Co-Chair of the Missouri Bicentennial Commission. 

Mr. Richard holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin and a Master of Arts in history from Missouri State University in Springfield.