Thousands of Missourians could lose food assistance under ‘big, beautiful bill’

News-Press NOW on May 27, 2025

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Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An estimated 14,000 Missourians ages 55-64 could lose their federal food benefits if changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program make it through the Senate.

The U.S. House last week approved the “big, beatufil bill†which includes cuts to social program budgets such as Medicaid and SNAP, known commonly as food stamps.

Millions of low-income Americans could lose food assistance under House Republicans’ tax and spending cuts package, according to a recent Congressional Budget Office analysis.

Nationwide, CBO estimates that these measures would strip roughly 3.2 million people of their food stamp benefits in an average month over the next decade.

One of the most controversial provisions of the bill includes expanding the program’s current work requirements to adults aged 55 to 64.

This would mean that unless an adult meets a 20-hour-per-week work requirement or qualifies for an exemption, such as having a disability, they would only be able to receive food benefits for three months in a three-year period.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that about 14,000 Missourians ages 55 to 64 with no children and no disability are at risk of losing food assistance under the proposed expansion of SNAP’s work requirement, according to an analysis of SNAP quality control data for the 2022 fiscal year.

The bill is expected to undergo multiple changes in the Senate.

The package, which aims to carry out President Donald Trump’s agenda, brings historic cuts to some of America’s safety net programs. The proposed legislation would deliver trillions in tax cuts, but at the expense of significant cuts to federal funding for food assistance and Medicaid to balance out the financial impact.

In 2023, SNAP provided aid to roughly 42 million Americans monthly, 12.6% of the U.S. population. The USDA says about 12.2% of Missouri households are food insecure.

As written, the bill would reduce federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by roughly $286 billion over the next decade, according to the CBO analysis.

The bill’s cuts could take food assistance away from families with children 7 years old or older.

Overall, 54,000 Missourians ages 18 to 64 with school-age children and no disability are at risk of losing food assistance under the proposed expansion of SNAP’s work requirement, according to CBPP analysis of SNAP quality control data for the 2022 fiscal year.

The vast majority of people at risk of losing SNAP would lose the assistance that allows them to purchase groceries. Research shows SNAP’s work requirement does not increase employment or earnings.

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RFK Jr. says Covid-19 shot will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women

News-Press NOW on May 27, 2025

CNN Newsource

By Brenda Goodman, CNN

(CNN) — US Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday said the Covid-19 vaccine will no longer be among the recommended vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization schedule.

The immunization schedule posted online had not yet been changed as of Tuesday morning.

Kennedy announced the change in a video posted to the social media platform X. He was flanked by US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

“As of today, the Covid vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule,†Kennedy said. “Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another covid shot, despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children.â€

Pregnant women and children with underlying conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from Covid-19.

The recommendation shift comes among other changes to Covid-19 vaccine policy. The FDA said last week it’s overhauling how it approves Covid-19 vaccines, a move that may limit future shots to older Americans and people at higher risk of serious Covid-19 infection.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Thousands of Missourians could lose food assistance under ‘big, beautiful bill’

KMIZ on May 27, 2025

Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An estimated 14,000 Missourians ages 55-64 could lose their federal food benefits if changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program make it through the Senate.

The U.S. House last week approved the “big, beautiful bill” which includes cuts to social program budgets such as Medicaid and SNAP, known commonly as food stamps.

Millions of low-income Americans could lose food assistance under House Republicans’ tax and spending cuts package, according to a recent Congressional Budget Office analysis.

Nationwide, CBO estimates that these measures would strip roughly 3.2 million people of their food stamp benefits in an average month over the next decade.

“Across the state of Missouri, we [The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri] know that about one in every seven adults is considered to be food insecure, and I think that’s pretty fair across the country too,” CEO and President of The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri Lindsay Lopez said.

One of the most controversial provisions of the bill includes expanding the program’s current work requirements to adults ages 55-64.

This would mean that unless an adult meets a 20-hour-per-week work requirement or qualifies for an exemption, such as having a disability, they would only be able to receive food benefits for three months in a three-year period.

Lopez said most people receiving food assistance through the Food Bank have at least one person in their household who is employed.

“But they may just be underemployed, meaning that it’s just very difficult for them to make ends meet with the amount of money that they end up with in their paycheck once or twice a month,” Lopez said.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that about 14,000 Missourians ages 55-64 with no children and no disability are at risk of losing food assistance under the proposed expansion of SNAP’s work requirement, according to an analysis of SNAP quality control data for the 2022 fiscal year.

The bill is expected to undergo multiple changes in the Senate.

Republican Rep. Bob Onder, of Missouri’s 3rd District, said in a statement he was proud to vote “yes” on the bill.

“Our social safety net programs need to be protected so that they will be available for the truly needy and vulnerable,” Onder said in an email. “For that reason, eligibility should be checked regularly to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. Likewise, able-bodied, working age adults who are able to work should do so as a condition of participation in these programs. For that reason, I support these requirements in both the food stamp (SNAP) and Medicaid programs, as embodied in the Reconciliation bill (“Big Beautiful Bill”). “

Democratic Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, of Kansas City, issued a statement Thursday following the house approval.

“At a time when income inequality is at historic levels and working class families are pleading for relief, congressional Republicans are making the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in American history, ripping healthcare and food assistance away from vulnerable families, to give another tax break that lines the pockets of billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump,” Cleaver said.

The package, which aims to carry out President Donald Trump’s agenda, brings historic cuts to some of America’s safety net programs. The proposed legislation would deliver trillions in tax cuts, but at the expense of significant cuts to federal funding for food assistance and Medicaid to balance out the financial impact.

In 2023, SNAP provided aid to roughly 42 million Americans monthly, 12.6% of the U.S. population. The USDA says about 12.2% of Missouri households are food insecure.

As written, the bill would reduce federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by roughly $286 billion over the next decade, according to the CBO analysis.

The bill’s cuts could take food assistance away from families with children 7 years old or older.

Overall, 54,000 Missourians ages 18-64 with school-age children and no disability are at risk of losing food assistance under the proposed expansion of SNAP’s work requirement, according to CBPP analysis of SNAP quality control data for the 2022 fiscal year.

The vast majority of people at risk of losing SNAP would lose the assistance that allows them to purchase groceries. Research shows SNAP’s work requirement does not increase employment or earnings.

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‘Every day, there’s a new camp’: Juniper Ridge homeless say there’s no room for new camps as BLM closes 40 acres

KTVZ on May 27, 2025

Kelsey Merison

(Update: Adding video, comments from BLM, homeless)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Trucks piled rocks at the entrances to BLM land Wednesday, next to Bend’s largest homeless camp, at Juniper Ridge. The deadline for the homeless in the area to leave is just days away.

“We start to get an accumulation of trash. There’s an accumulation of human waste. Because they’re not dispersing and going camping in other areas,” Bureau of Land Management Field Manager Lisa Clark told KTVZ News on Wednesday.

Beginning next Sunday, June 1st, the BLM’s Prineville District announced Tuesday it will temporarily close around 40 acres of public land between Bend and Redmond, due to problems caused by long-term unauthorized camping.

The BLM’s camping rule is 14 days, but many have camped in the area long past that time. 

“Technically, if somebody is houseless, then they’re actually not camping on public lands. And it technically is illegal from the first night,” Clark said. “We tend to be a little bit more lenient, because the regular camping rule is for 14 days, and then you need to move 25 miles.”

The BLM said the closure is due to “growing public health, safety, and environmental concerns cause(d) by unauthorized long-term non-recreational camping.”

The closure will last until a date yet to be determined and will affect land on the east and west sides of Highway 97 and north of the overpass.

BLM stated that “during the closure, people are prohibited from entering the area for any reason, including hiking, driving, mountain biking, and dispersed camping.” 

But the homeless living in Juniper Ridge, like Brooklyn Lamb, say they are running out of room, as those in the closed area move closer.

“Camps keep rolling in. Every day, there’s a new camp that rolls in,” she said.

The area known as “Dirt World” has seen a mass increase of campers this month, after the Forest Service closed the Bend area’s other largest homeless camp, south of the city on China Hat Road.

It’s estimated that more than 200 people were moved, bringing nearly half to Juniper Ridge while the others camp on city streets. 

Lamb said, “We know Bend wants to get rid of the homeless community. They’re never going to go anywhere. There’s always going to be a homeless somebody somewhere in the United States.”

A map detailing the closed areas can be found below and on the BLM’s website: https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/5IjnC31PDQSxnvYDFgfjfQO9HJ?domain=blm.gov

Deschutes County and the City of Bend own the land surrounding the closure. The two agreed last fall to close much of the city— and county-owned land at Juniper Ridge north of Bend to homeless campers by May 31 and provide a “temporary safe stay” area with services on part of the property.

Dispersed camping for up to 14 days is generally allowed on BLM-administered lands.  

“Public lands are open for everyone to enjoy, and short-term camping typically doesn’t cause lasting harm,” Clark said. “But when people stay well beyond that and ignore the rules, the damage adds up quickly. We do everything we can to avoid closing areas, but in this case, the conditions have become unsafe and unsustainable. We were left with no choice.”

BLM said its staff will assess the site after the closure begins to determine the extent of the damage and develop a plan for repairs, restoration and determine a reopening date. 

KTVZ will provide further updates on this closure as we learn more.

Hwy97Closure BLMDownload

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Colorado Springs study deems roundabout at Platte and Nevada unfeasible

KRDO on May 27, 2025

Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The City of Colorado Springs says a study for a roundabout at Platte and Nevada Avenues found the project unfeasible.

City officials say the amount of traffic coming through Platte and Nevada is too heavy for a roundabout.

Last year, residents petitioned for a roundabout, citing concerns over traffic and pedestrian safety.

“The study shows that (a) roundabout with a four-lane Nevada Avenue and a two-lane Platte Avenue, a vital east-west corridor, is technically feasible, but westbound queues would extend past Weber in peak hours,” said Todd Frisbie, city traffic engineer, in a press release. “Initial cost estimates show a roundabout would be cost prohibitive, likely in the $5-6 million range.”

Adding to complications, officials say, are building plans at Palmer High School. District 11 plans to construct a new academic wing in the area. Those plans will likely impact Boulder Street and create higher traffic volume on Platte Avenue, the city said.

In 2023, the city made it illegal to turn left from Platte Avenue onto Nevada Avenue due to issues with drivers seeing past the statue of city founder Gen. William Jackson Palmer in the middle of the intersection.

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Governor Kehoe announces special session

News-Press NOW on May 27, 2025

News-Press NOW

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — During a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol, Governor Mike Kehoe announced he has issued an official call for a special session aiming to do a few different things.

The session will allow legislators to discuss providing resources to families affected by recent severe storm systems, driving economic development through a tax incentive program and make critical budget appropriations, which will impact Missourians across the state.

The General Assembly will convene for the First Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session in Jefferson City at 12 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025, to begin considering Gov Kehoe’s priorities.

“We are proud of all that the General Assembly accomplished during the regular legislative session, but there is still work left to be done,” said Gov. Kehoe. “We call on legislators to use this special session as a rare opportunity to support our vulnerable neighbors in their time of need, drive economic development, and make transformative investments in our state. This work is too important to leave unfinished.”

Several severe storm systems have impacted Missouri over recent months, resulting in the loss of life, as well as significant damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure.

Gov. Kehoe’s call for a special session includes legislation to assist Missouri families impacted by recent severe storm systems in areas included in a request for a presidential disaster declaration, like St. Louis.

The call includes:

Legislation establishing an income tax deduction for insurance policy deductibles incurred by homeowners and renters due to damages caused by severe weather.

Deductions shall not exceed $5,000 per household per disaster in any calendar year.

Legislation enhancing the utility of the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, administered by the Missouri Housing Development Commission, by expanding eligibility and removing administrative burdens and costs to expedite housing activities and to expand income eligibility for emergency aid.

Appropriating $25 million to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund for general administration of affordable housing activities and to expand income eligibility for emergency aid.

In terms of driving economic development, Gov. Kehoe is calling on the General Assembly to help retain both the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals by enacting legislation establishing economic development tools for athletic and entertainment facility projects of professional sports franchises through the Show Me Sports Investment Act.

Both the Royals and the Chiefs drive billions of dollars in economic activity through tourism, job creation and small businesses, like hotels, restaurants and retail.

The impact of retaining these teams includes:

The Kansas City Chiefs contribute $575 million annually in economic value and over 4,500 jobs in Jackson County alone, bringing the State of Missouri nearly $30 million in annual tax revenue.

a new Royals ballpark district is expected to support 8,400 jobs and generate $1.2 billion in economic output annually.

Gov. Kehoe’s call also includes:

Enacting legislation to extend the sunset date on tax credits for amateur sporting events.

Appropriating $25 million for the University of Missouri for the planning, design and construction of the Radioisotope Science Center at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR).

Appropriating funding from funds other than the General Revenue Fund for purposes provided for in the Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 19 in the 2025 regular legislative session.

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YCSO Foothills Substation temporarily closed to the public for the summer

KYMA on May 27, 2025

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) will be temporarily closing its Foothills Substation to the public.

YCSO announced this temporary closure from Memorial Day through the duration of the summer which caused some residents in East County to raise an eyebrow.

Lt. Sonny Hixon with YCSO says, “Deputies will be in the Foothills, they’re not leaving.”

They assure locals it has to do with the dip in population and the reduced demand.

“Winter visitor population goes down a lot in the summer time. To assist with everything that goes on in the Winter time, we typically have a clerk out here running the admin stuff,” Lt. Hixon explained.

These walk-in admin services include fingerprinting, pharmaceutical drop boxes, records, and paperwork.

But for now, these will have to be done in town.

“Our East County Patrol Deputies will still be patrolling the area. We will still be available to take any reports. The only thing is that the Administrative Services will not be available here in East County. You would have to go to the Main Office on 3rd Avenue,” YCSO’s Tania Pavlak shared.

In case of an emergency, YCSO says there will be no difference in response times or quality of service.

“Always dial 911. The Sheriff’s Office is on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” says Lt. Hixon

The return date of the Foothills Substation is to be determined but YCSO hope this brings some clarity to some of the questions and concerns.

For information about the Main Office’s lobby hours and the services they offer, click here.

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Kehoe calls for special session on stadium funding, capital projects

KMIZ on May 27, 2025

Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe unveiled plans for a special session to take up legislation to incentivize sports teams to stay in Missouri and fund capital projects like a University of Missouri nuclear reactor during a Capitol news conference Tuesday.

Kehoe will bring lawmakers together next month to discuss financial incentives for stadium projects for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and funding for capital projects including the NextGen MU Research Reactor.

The Show Me Sports Investment Act is aimed at keeping the two sports teams from moving to Kansas after lawmakers failed to pass a plan during their regular, annual session. The proposal would give the state’s professional sports teams access to state funding for stadium projects through new bonds, but only if certain requirements are met.

The project must cost at least $500 million and involve stadiums with more than 30,000 seats. The state could cover up to 50% of the total cost and eligible teams could also access a tax credit worth up to 10% of their investment.

“The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are Missouri’s teams and they drive billions of dollars in economic activity through tourism, job creation and small business, including hotels, restaurants and retail,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe emphasized the importance of keeping Missouri’s sports teams in the state, citing their role in economic development.

“This just isn’t about football and baseball, as I said before, this is about economic development. These two organizations that have businesses, employees and a ripple effect on our state’s economy that we do not want to move to any other state,” Kehoe said.

Arrowhead Stadium generates $28.8 million in state tax revenue, sustains more than 4,500 jobs and promotes more than $572 million in economic activity in Jackson County alone, Kehoe said. A new stadium for the Royals would support 8,400 jobs and generate $1.2 billion in annual economic output, Kehoe said.

Budget appropriations are also a priority during the special session, including funding for the NextGen MURR project — a proposal that failed to pass during the regular legislative session. The original allocation in House Bill 19 included $50 million for the University of Missouri Research Reactor, but Kehoe is now asking for half of that amount.

“MURR has developed life-saving medicines for patients around the world and Missouri is proud to be home to this incredible nuclear resource,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe touched on how many lives the nuclear reactor saves each day by providing radioisotopes to people around the world. According to MURR’S website, 450,000 patients were treated lat year with radioisotopes produced at MURR.

Other budget appropriations included in House Bill 19 are funding for a mental health facility, a new juvenile center in Cole County and funding for a conference center in Downtown Jefferson City.

Other priorities to be addressed in the special session include assistance for families affected by recent severe storms across the state. Kehoe wants lawmakers to approve a tax deduction for insurance deductibles paid by homeowners repairing damage from this spring’s storms.

The assistance would be capped at $5,000 per household per calendar year.

Kehoe said he will push for changes to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund to make the state’s disaster response stronger. The proposal includes expanding eligibility and eliminating administrative burdens and costs to speed up aid distribution.

It would also lower eligibility standards for emergency housing assistance and grants for construction and home repair.

Over the past three months, severe storms have caused damage across several Missouri counties, including Phelps, where an EF-2 tornado destroyed dozens of homes and businesses in Rolla. Earlier this month, seven people were killed when tornadoes tore through the St. Louis area.

A tornado also destroyed the City of Columbia’s recycling facility.

Kehoe said during the press conference Tuesday that the structural damage in St.Louis is worse than the Joplin tornado.

House lawmakers have been told to be ready for a session that will start at noon June 2.

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Some power restored after reports of outages early Tuesday morning

KION on May 27, 2025

Victor Guzman

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV) — PG&E has restored power to more than 2,600 customers after outages were reported early Tuesday morning in the Del Rey Oaks area.

Some outages remain in the Watsonville area, which initially saw more than 8,000 people without power.

2,555 are now without power with power expected to be restored around noon.

The cause of the outages is still unclear.

Multiple power outages reported on the Central Coast

PG&E is reporting a pair of significant power outages in parts of Del Rey Oaks, Watsonville and Freedom on Tuesday morning.

More than 2,600 people along Del Rey Oaks and parts of Highway 68 were without power on Tuesday as of 5:15 a.m., with PG&E showing the Monterey Regional Airport was in range of the outages.

Power is expected to be restored in that area around 9:30 a.m.

Another set of outages were reported by PG&E along the Watsonville and Freedom area.

PG&E reporting the outage just after 5 a.m. as well, with more than 8,600 people losing power.

Restoration time is listed at around 12:15 p.m.

The specific cause of the outages are unknown at this time. They’re only being referred to as “unplanned outages” by PG&E.

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CBP agent accused of sexual intercourse with a minor to appear in court

KYMA on May 27, 2025

Jalen Fong

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The local Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent accused of sexual intercourse with a minor will be in court Tuesday morning, where he will be formally arraigned.

31-year-old Ramon Marquez faces a total of 15 counts. Among those is sexual intercourse, oral sexual conduct, and sexual exploitation of a minor who is 16-years-old.

A court document obtained by KYMA says Marquez knowingly recorded, filmed or photographed the minor he’s accused of sexually abusing.

Marquez posted his bond earlier this month and is no longer in custody.

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