Author: News-Press NOW

News-Press NOW

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One child is dead following a two-vehicle crash on southeast 32nd and Seymour Roads, two and a half miles south of St. Joseph, on Tuesday night.

The 13-year-old male driver of a 2008 KTM SX65 youth motorcycle, from Dearborn, Missouri, was southbound on Southeast 32nd Road, while the 18-year-old male driver of a 2021 Toyota RAV 4, from St. Joseph, Missouri, was eastbound on Southeast Seymour Road.

The 2021 Toyota RAV 4 also hosted an 18-year-old female occupant from Country Club, Missouri.

The driver of the Toyota made a left turn and began to slide onto Southeast 32nd Road. The driver of the motorcycle failed to yield to the Toyota and struck it in the front right bumper.

After impact, the 13-year-old diver was ejected from the motorcycle and landed in the field adjacent to the road. The motorcycle travelled off the east side of the roadway and came to rest in the ditch facing southeast on its driver’s side.

The Toyota came to a controlled stop off the east side of the roadway facing north.

The 13-year-old driver was transported to Mosaic Life Care and then was further transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital by EMS. He was pronounced dead at Children’s Mercy at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23.

Both the 18-year-old male and the 18-year-old female were taken by private vehicle to Mosaic Life Care and sustained minor injuries.

The 13-year-old driver was wearing a helmet, and both the 18-year-old male and female were wearing seat belts.

This is an update to a story News-Press NOW responded to on Tuesday, July 22.

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Kirsten Stokes

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A sweeping new law set to take effect Thursday, Aug. 28, will reshape how Missourians bring issues directly to the ballot.

Citizens use the Initiative Petition process to put new laws or constitutional amendments directly on the ballot by gathering signatures.  

It’s been used in Missouri for over 100 years, allowing voters to bypass the legislature and place issues directly on the ballot.

Recent examples of this include medicaid expansion, abortion access and medical marijuana legalization.

Senate Bill 22, passed by Missouri lawmakers earlier this year and signed by Governor Mike Parson, introduces a series of changes to the state’s Initiative Petition process, altering everything from who writes the official ballot language to when and how legal challenges can be filed.

Supporters of the bill acknowledge the changes will provide greater consistency and fairness. However, critics warn it could undermine democracy by making it harder for grassroots organizations to bring issues before voters. 

Ballot summary responsibility

One of the most significant shifts under Senate Bill 22 is who will write the summary language appearing on ballots, a key piece of information that can shape how voters perceive an issue.

Previously, the Missouri Secretary of State was responsible for writing the short summary that appears on ballots to explain what a proposed measure does. 

State Representative Dean Van Schoiack (R-Savannah), who represents part of Buchanan County, said the change is about “putting power back in the hands of the elected General Assembly, rather than relying solely on one state office to control how issues are worded for voters.” 

“I think the changes made here allow for the Secretary of State to do his job correctly,” VanSchoiack said.

Under the new law, when the legislature itself refers an issue to the ballot, lawmakers will now write the summary language instead. The Secretary of State will continue to write summaries for citizen-led petitions. 

Disagreers of the bill, including David Jones, the vice president for the St. Joseph National Education Association (NEA), argue that it gives more power to officials and not the will of the people.

“It’s important that when we do any initiatives that are going to go to the vote for the voters, that’s worded clearly,” Jones said.

Longer ballot summaries

In the past, anyone who disagreed with the wording of a ballot summary had 10 days after certification to challenge it. Courts also had the authority to rewrite summaries if they found the wording biased. 

Now, legal challenges and court fights over how a ballot question is worded must be filed by the 22nd Tuesday before the general election. Around 154 days ahead of time.

Any court battles over ballot wording must be fully resolved at least 70 days before the election. Additionally, courts must wait for the Secretary of State to attempt up to three rewrites before stepping in. 

“It doesn’t change what’s in the petition or the resolution or whatever,” VanSchoiack said. “It just gives a chance for the ballot language to change.” 

But critics, including several voter advocacy groups, express that these new hurdles will make it harder for ordinary citizens to hold the government accountable, especially if ballot summaries are drafted in a way that favors one side. 

“It would be harder for organizations to challenge ballot initiatives that are worded improperly,” Jones said.

Summary statement length requirement

Senate Bill 22 also doubles the maximum length of ballot summaries from 50 to 100 words, allowing for more detailed descriptions.

Supporters of Senate Bill 22 note, this gives voters more context, while opponents fear it could open the door to slanted or overly complex language. 

Impact on voter-driven campaigns

For organizations that rely on Missouri’s Initiative Petition process, one of the state’s few direct democracy tools, Senate Bill 22 creates both new challenges and limited benefits.

The stricter legal deadlines mean, groups must be ready to launch costly legal fights earlier in the process.

However, the new law also clarifies that signature gathering can continue even if ballot language is being challenged in court, offering some procedural certainty. 

A continuing battle over direct democracy

The passage of Senate Bill 22 reflects a broader political struggle over who controls the Initiative Petition process in Missouri—a right enshrined in the state’s constitution since 1907.

In recent years, voters have used the process to enact Medicaid expansion, ethics reforms and marijuana legalization, sometimes against the wishes of state lawmakers. 

What’s next?

With Senate Bill 22 set to take effect in about a month, election officials, advocacy groups and voters across Missouri are preparing for the new system ahead of the 2026 election cycle. 

Residents of St. Joseph interested in bringing an issue to the statewide ballot, or in understanding ballot measures they may vote on, are encouraged to stay informed about the new rules and deadlines. 

In practical terms, voters may notice: 

Longer summaries on the ballot. 

Fewer last-minute legal disputes over ballot language close to election day. 

The need for earlier legal action if concerns arise over how a ballot measure is worded. 

For more information on how Missouri’s Initiative Petition process works, visit sos.mo.gov or contact local election offices in Buchanan County at (816) 271-1414.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In the heart of Downtown Saint Joseph, a weathered building on Felix Street still bears the ghost sign with the name “Newburger,” quietly honoring a once-thriving Jewish business and community from the late 1800s.

For Bud Collins, a retired U.S. federal agent and descendant of Jewish immigrant Bernhard Newburger, that building isn’t just part of city history; it’s part of his family’s story.

An antique photo looking east on Felix Street, where the original sign for the “B. Newburger” building is bright and new. Courtesy of: www.stjosephmemorylane.com.

Recently, members of the Collins family made a special trip to St. Joseph to pay tribute to their roots. Most of the group traveled from Colorado, where the family is now primarily based, while others came from as far away as South Africa, where one of Collin’s sons joined the Foreign Service.

The journey was a testament to the enduring importance of their shared heritage.

“This was important enough to bring everyone together,” descendant Bud Collins said. “We were only missing one family member. This is for the grandchildren, so they won’t forget where they came from.”

The family gathered on the roof of Felix Street Gourmet on Thursday afternoon, courtesy of the owners, to get an up-close and personal view outside.

The former site of Berhnard Newburger’s women’s hat shop operated from roughly 1889 to 1915.

The building, located along Felix Street, had stood for 150 years and was once part of a lively Jewish business district.

At the time, St. Joseph was a prominent riverboat town, and Newburger’s shop was just one of many Jewish-owned businesses, which helped drive the local economy.

An antique ad for Newburger’s Millinery.Courtesy of: www.stjosephmemorylane.com.

“My great-grandfather made women’s hats,” Collins said. “He probably made them by hand, and the business was quite successful. This whole area was the Jewish business center of the time.”

Despite the era’s challenges, Collins noted that the Jewish community in St. Joseph appeared to be well-accepted.

A historical portrait of Bernhard Newburger.Courtesy of: Collins family.

“From what we can gather, there was little or no anti-Semitism, so they were welcomed into the community and were a part of the community,” said Collins.

Collins also shared a remarkable piece of family lore: In 1912, his grandmother, pregnant with his father, was scheduled to return from Europe on the Titanic. She postponed the trip due to illness, an extraordinary twist of fate that saved their family’s future.

Now, the last Jewish member of his family, Collins said, preserving this history is more important than ever.

“When I’m gone, the Jewish line dies with me,” he reflected. “This is important to our family history. And when I first saw it… I’m just like something that’s here, that’s that old, that has a family member’s name on it. It’s really significant for my family.”

Collins lamented why the building is important to the family.

“That’s why this building, and this visit, matter. It’s our past. And remembering it is a message to future generations, not just about family, but about resilience and acceptance,” said Collins.

The Berhnard Newburger Building standing present day 2025Rebecca Evans | News-Press NOW

For Collins, a life of public service runs deep. A veteran of the Foreign Service and law enforcement, he notes that many members of the family have served, whether in the military, diplomatic corps or as a FedEx pilot.

This trip wasn’t about service to the country; it was about the service to memory.

In a time of increasing division, Collins hopes the story of St. Joseph’s once-vibrant Jewish community can serve as a reminder of what inclusive communities can look like.

“This place embraced our family 150 years ago,” he said. “I hope that spirit is something we can return to, not just here, but everywhere.”

The view from atop Felix Street Gourmet of the famous ghost sign is still visible to the community today.Rebecca Evans | News-Press NOW

“Even if it’s a building like this, remembering is important. At the time, in St. Joseph, the Jewish community was well accepted and prominent,” said Collins, “I wish in a large sense we could go back to that rather than have this polarization that we’re seeing now.”

Thanks to the Collins family’s efforts, and their journey from Colorado, California, South Africa and beyond, the legacy of Berhnard Newburger, and the Jewish history of St. Joseph, will not be forgotten.

It’s a powerful reminder of why preserving and remembering our history- and the stories that shape it- is important.

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new Missouri law will require drivers to pay the motor vehicle sales tax directly at the car dealership when purchasing a vehicle in a bid to reduce the number of expired temporary tags on the road.

It will require drivers to pay their motor vehicle sales tax directly at the dealership at the time of purchase, ensuring vehicles are properly registered and tracked from the start. The law is set to take effect Aug. 28, but the change to paying vehicle sales tax up front will only be implemented once the Department of Revenue’s new system is fully operational and viable, likely sometime late 2026.

Until then, the current process remains in place.

The Missouri state sales tax rate on vehicles is 4.225%. Owners also pay local sales tax. The problem of drivers not paying their vehicle sales tax within the 30-day window after purchase has persisted for years, frequently resulting in delays and uncollected fees.

Missouri Department of Revenue Director Trish Vincent said the department is working on a system to put in car dealerships around the state that will allow customers to pay their sales tax at the time of purchase, streamlining the process and reducing the need for temporary tags.

“When you go in and purchase a car, you will have to pay the sales tax when you go in with a dealer and make the deal, even a used car,” Vincent said.

With the new system, you’ll be immediately tied to your permanent license plate number at purchase, making it easier for the Department of Revenue to track.

“It will look like a temp tag, but it will have your license configuration on it, and then we will mail you your metal plate, so temp tags will be a thing of the past in a couple years. And we’re working on that system right now,” Vincent said.

Vincent said the new law will close the loophole of drivers avoiding paying their sales tax, which pays for improvements to Missouri roads. Some of the money also goes to county governments. She said the Department of Revenue processes over 1 million vehicle titles a year, and when drivers avoid registering their vehicles, it adds up fast.

“You average that out, and the average tax is $1,200. That’s $1.2 billion or over that a year we’re taking in for highway, and if you’re not paying that, you’re taking away from highways,” Vincent said.

The DOR reported more than 113,000 delinquent fee accounts related to temporary permits sold between January 1, 2021, and July 23, 2024, with a combined estimated due amount approaching $145 million.

Last year alone, the Department of Revenue says it collected over $635 million in motor vehicle sales tax, and loses between $20 million-$30 million a year due to unpaid sales taxes. Vincent said the pandemic contributed to more drivers falling behind on paying their vehicle sales tax and the economy.

“I think in unpaid, we are at $28 million or so unpaid. Now, cars cost a lot more than they used to, and of course, there is tax on that amount that you pay. That’s a higher cost. I think economic times are hard,” Vincent said.

The dealership perspective

Longtime car salesman Eric Cronacher said he has noticed leasing vehicles has become more common, partly because sales tax is not included in vehicle leases. But, once the law takes effect, it could change a buyer’s budget.

“The banks turn around and turn somebody down because they don’t have enough room in their budget for their sales tax that could impact some sales,” Cronacher said.

While the law will bring new requirements for buyers, Cronacher believes the changes will ultimately benefit consumers.

“It will be a relief more than anything, I believe,” he said. “Anything to make it easier for the consumer makes it a little easier to buy cars, in my opinion.”

To figure out the sales tax on your vehicle, you can use the sales tax calculator available on the Department of Revenue website.

Some drivers say paying the tax up front could be a financial hurdle, while others think it’ll simplify the process.

Missouri resident Denise Schinabery said she understands both sides of the issue.

“It is frustrating when you see it, and it’s like two or three years old and nothing is being done,” Schinabery said. “But I also have to think I don’t know the whole story.”

Resident Jennifer Buck said she also feels the same way.

“I feel like there are people that never ever get them, and that’s frustrating, and I don’t know what the solution is, and I feel like these are people that are living paycheck to paycheck. I feel like it’s a sticky situation.”

Enforcement

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it issued 15,000 citations in 2024 for expired temporary tags and expired license plates.

Drivers are expected to pay their sales tax within 30 days of buying their vehicle to obtain their license plates. If they don’t and get pulled over, Sgt. Kyle Green with MSHP Troop F says a driver faces a fine of $50.50 plus county court costs.

If a driver fails to title their vehicle within 30 days, there is a title penalty of $25 on the 31st day after purchase. The penalty increases another $25 for every 30 days you are late, with a maximum penalty of $200.

If a tag is more than 60 days expired, the fine could jump to $250.

Some drivers tend to drive around with expired tags for months or even years, but Green said that doesn’t mean they aren’t being stopped and cited by law enforcement. He said enforcement isn’t weak; it’s just misunderstood by the public.

“We can issue a citation every time we stop them. Let’s say a vehicle expired six months ago and they have been stopped three or four times and maybe received three or four citations. Nothing forces that person to go get that vehicle registered,” Green said. “They will pay the fine and move on, but to the general public, it looks like they are still driving around and nothing has been done, and when in fact that truly isn’t the case.”

Green said that while drivers can be issued multiple citations for expired tags, the costs can quickly add up, and repeatedly ticketing someone doesn’t always solve the problem.

“We don’t want to keep stacking tickets on somebody because ultimately it doesn’t force them to go get their vehicle registered. It might put them further behind financially,” Green said.

“To stake one ticket on top of another in a very short time frame would kinda defeat the purpose of them going to get their vehicle registered, especially if money is an issue.”

He said drivers with vehicles of all price ranges skip out on paying the sales tax, and for some, it is cheaper to keep paying the fines.

“Ten tickets for and pay it, and while that may be a lot of money, it may still not be nearly as much money as they will owe in sales tax,” Green said. “Trying to get people to go in there, it doesn’t force them to do that, and for many of them, they would rather take the chance and drive around with an expired temp tag and run the risk of getting a ticket rather than getting the sales tax part taken care of.”

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — As the Kansas City Chiefs continue getting acclimated to St. Joseph for training camp, fans are eager to see the revamped offense.

One of the newcomers who has caught the eye of many is rookie offensive lineman Josh Simmons. The first-year lineman out of Ohio State figures to be a key pillar in protecting Patrick Mahomes.

“Hopefully, he can block for Mahomes and give him time to be in the pocket,” Chiefs fan Billy Kelso said. “So that he can complete passes and not be sacked all the time.”

Of the members of Chiefs Kingdom who have made the trip to Sprout Field, longtime fan Jody Lewis has had a special goal every time she visits.

“When Patrick came (to the Chiefs), one of the first pictures that was on Facebook was when he was sitting on the sofa wrapped up in an old blanket,” Lewis said. “And my granddaughter, who was three, said ‘he needs a meemaw quilt’. So she goes to my fabric stash and starts to pull fabric. Now, one thing led to another and this is the result.”

With the finished quilt, Lewis and her family have aimed to give it to Mahomes every time they head to Chiefs Training Camp.

Lewis has been watching the Chiefs since they first appeared in Super Bowl I and has admired Mahomes since his college days at Texas Tech.

With plenty of excitement and joy surrounding the Chiefs, the anticipation for the start of the season will continue to grow even bigger.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A single-vehicle crash involving a Lowe’s box truck on Interstate 29 sent two men to the hospital this morning with minor injuries, backing up traffic in both directions for more than an hour.

Two adult males from Aurora, Colorado, were transported to the hospital with minor injuries following the crash around 10:10 a.m. by the 46-mile marker of northbound I-29. The crash occurred after the vehicle reportedly went off the east side of the roadway and overcorrected, traveling off the west side of the roadway and striking a barrier before overturning.

The 32-year-old driver of the vehicle is expected to stay in the hospital overnight, while the 22-year-old passenger has already been released, according to Trooper Steven Force with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Both vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

News-Press NOW arrived on scene to see the Lowe’s truck flipped over on its side, partially blocking the left northbound lane. The front of the box truck sustained heavy damage as a result of the crash.

The crash resulted in both northbound and southbound lanes of traffic being reduced to one lane, causing significant traffic backups for nearly two hours.

The crash also occurred next to Missouri Western State University as Chiefs Training Camp practice was being held.

Crews on scene had to use a skid-steer to help remove a large amount of dirt and debris from the side of the interstate.

The scene was cleared and traffic resumed as normal around noon.

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Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed one person died in a crash on Interstate 70 in Columbia Thursday morning.

In a social media post, MSHP said troopers are investigating the crash on eastbound I-70 at the 121 mile-marker.

Troopers said the crash involved a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck. The post at 11:20 a.m. said the driving lane of the eastbound lane was blocked.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw one car with visible damage to its front and driver’s side while it was being towed away.

A Boone County Sheriff’s SUV was also seen at the crash site with damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle; it is unclear if this was related to the crash.

A Boone County Joint Communication alert was sent out at 9:38 a.m. about a crash on I-70 that shut down both eastbound lanes. A second alert was sent out before 10:30 a.m., reporting all lanes are back open.

An ambulance, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Boone County Sheriff and Boone County Fire Protection District, was at the scene.

The Missouri Department of Transportation Travelers map showed traffic backed up for several miles around 10 a.m.

ABC 17 News has reached out for more information.

This is a developing story

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)– A global organization is partnering with the Stuber Health Center to expand healthcare access in the St. Joseph community. 

Through the use of a Medical Mobile Van, the health center offers cervical and breast cancer screenings. These services are available to all but are especially aimed at individuals without health insurance. 

This outreach effort is made possible through the Show Me Healthy Women program to support the development of health care practices.   

The Mobile Medical Unit from Stuber Health Center is on a mission to make women’s health screenings more accessible in St. Joseph. 

“We’re out on the last Friday of every month, and our location changes each time,” Nurse Practitioner Danyelle Kerns said. 

The van offers cervical and breast cancer screenings, including pap smears and breast exams, and is especially geared toward serving low-income households.

The program accepts all insurance types—and for those without insurance, screenings may be free, based on income. 

The mobile unit launched in February of 2025 and is staffed by six people focused on increasing access and awareness around women’s health care. 

“We’ve set up at the YWCA, the Salvation Army parking lot, and even the south end at the InterServe parking lot,” Kerns said. 

The van rotates locations monthly. Residents are encouraged to call ahead to schedule a visit.

Kerns hopes to have more women in the community take advantage of the service and stay up to date on their health. 

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News-Press NOW

CLEARWATER, Fla. (News-Press NOW) — According to WWE, Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71.

Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s and was a professional world wrestling champion and TV personality.

Hogan died surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Clearwater, Florida.

Early reports indicate “cardiac arrest” was the cause.

News-Press NOW will update this article with more information.

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