Author: News-Press NOW

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The top fourteen high school football teams in Missouri are set to clash in St. Joseph over the next three days for the right to be called state champions.

After multiple weeks of district and state playoff games, the 2025 MSHSAA State Football Championships will be decided at Missouri Western’s Spratt Stadium beginning Thursday. This year’s championships mark the second consecutive year Spratt Stadium will be hosting the 8-man Show-Me Bowl game and the first time ever for the 11-man Show-Me Bowl games for Classes 1 through 6.

“This is the only place high school football is being played in the state of Missouri this weekend,” St Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely said. “All roads lead here. Every team in the state of Missouri’s goal when they started practice in August was to play in a state championship game in St. Joseph, Missouri. Now 14 teams still realize that goal. There’s probably a number of student athletes and coaches on these teams that have never been here before or haven’t been that often.”

The historic moment for St. Joseph brings a mix of local flavor in neighboring teams like Rockport, Worth County and Platte County as well as teams like Lee’s Summit, Lift For Life (St. Louis) and Kearney.

For those new or less familiar with St. Joseph, Esley hopes the championships help highlight parts of the city that can help bring in more visitors in the future.

“What I’ve learned from working at a tourism office now for almost four complete years is you learn a lot more about your community from visitors,” Esely said. “I think when visitors come, especially for events like this, they’re excited. They want to find the best local, hangout spot, bar and grill, steakhouse you name it. From a sports commission standpoint, we really focus on the function of the event, and what our participants see when they come here.”

The seven championship games will be held from Thursday Dec. 4 through Saturday Dec. 6 at Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western, located at 4525 Downs Drive.

8-Man Championship Game: Rock Port (13-0) vs. Worth County (12-1) Time/Date: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4

The battle for the 8-man state title features a rematch from the start of football season between the Rock Port Blue Jays and the Worth County Tigers. The season opener between the two teams saw Rock Port come out on top 34-26.

The Blue Jay’s early season win sparked their undefeated season and quest to capture their first state championship since 1985, as they make their first title appearance since 1990.

The fulcrum for Rock Port’s success offensively is junior running back Brock Holmes. Holmes leads all running backs in the 8-man football in rushing yards (2778), rushing yards per game (213.7) and touchdowns (57).

On the defensive side of the ball, junior defensive back Jack Meyerkorth ranks third in interceptions with eight on the year.

For the Tigers they come in riding 11-consecutive wins with their only loss coming against the Blue Jays. In the prior season, Worth County lost to North Shelby in the quarterfinals.

Paving the way for the Tigers success is senior linebacker Lucas Frisch and junior running back Cole Ruby. Frisch ranks third in total tackles (141) while Ruby is fifth among all players in rushing yards (1484) and fourth in touchdowns (28)

Class 3 State Championship Game: Lift For Life (10-4) vs. Seneca (12-1)Time/Date: 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5

The first match of the 11-man Show-Me Bowl games will be for the Class 3 championship, featuring a rematch from last years playoffs between Lift For Life and Seneca. The last meeting between the teams saw the Indians shutout the Hawks 31-0.

For the Hawks, their path to the championship this season was one that saw them overcome adversity, losing the final two games of the regular season after previously being 10-2. A big part of the team’s success throughout the year has been the play of senior quarterback Phoenix Isaiah and senior wide receiver Tony Woolfolk Jr.

Isaiah ranks second among passers in the state with 196 completions for 3,049 passing yards, 39 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Eleven of his 39 touchdowns went to Woolfolk Jr., who is 4th among receivers with 1,103 receiving yards.

As for the Indians, their lone loss came in the regular season finale, losing by a single point to the Lamar Tigers. Since then, they have been on a roll, with their opponents scoring 21 points or less throughout the postseason.

Class 1 State Championship Game: Putnam County (13-0) vs. Tipton (12-1) Time/Date: 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5

For the Class 1 championship game, the undefeated Putnam County Midgets will take on the Tipton Cardinals.

The Midgets are in the midst of their first ever undefeated season and second consecutive season with 6-plus wins. Throughout the season Putnam has outscored opponents by an average of 43.5 points per game, while the defense has held opponents to average of just 8.5 point per game.

The Cardinals have had similar success, scoring 44.2 points per game and holding opponents to 9.1 points per game, making for another competitive matchup for the state crown.

Class 5 State Championship Game: Platte County (13-0) vs. Carthage (12-1)Time/Date: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5

The Class 5 crown will come down to a showdown between the powerhouse Platte County Pirates and the Carthage Tigers.

For the Pirates, they are close to making history with two consecutive undefeated seasons and being named back-to-back state championships for the first time since they completed a 3-peat from 2000 to 2002.

As for Carthage, this marks their second championship appearance and first since winning it all back in 2019. The Tigers were nearly perfect in the regular season, only losing to one of the Class 6 finalists in Nixa by a score of 38 -22.

Class 4 State Championship: Kearney (13-0) vs. Hannibal (11-2)Time/Date: 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

The Class 4 championship pits the Kearney Bulldogs against the Hannibal Pirates.

Kearney makes their seventh Class 4 championship and is looking to win their first title since 2023. This past season marked the team’s fourth consecutive season with 10+ wins and the second time they have done so in school history (2013-2016).

For the Pirates, they are in uncharted territory as they make their first ever Class 4 championship appearance in school history. This past season marked an all-time best by the Hannibal defense, limiting opponents to 10.1 points per game.

Class 2 State Championship: St. Pius X Festus (9-5)  vs. Blair Oaks (13-0)Time/Date: 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

The battle for Class 2 comes down to the St. Pius X-Festus Lancers and the Blair Oaks Falcons.

The Lancers have had an up-and-down season, as they started off with three straight-losses, winning the next four games and finally ending the regular season on a two-game losing streak. They have overcome their obstacles to make the Class 2 Championship for the first time.

A huge part of the team’s success is junior running back Cody Shaver, who ranks sixth in 11-man play in rushing yards with 1,739 yards on 200 carries.

For Blair Oaks, they are looking to add a seventh Class 2 Championship and fifth under current coach Ted LePage.

This season, the Falcons held their opponents to 6.2 points per game, which is one of the lowest among all the teams in the championship field.

Class 6 State Championship: Lee’s Summit (9-4) vs. Nixa (13-0)Time/Date: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

To finish off the championships slate, Class 6 will see the Lee’s Summit Tigers take on the Nixa Eagles.

Lee’s Summit comes in riding a 9-game win streak (including the playoffs) as they make their first championship appearance since 1985. During the regular season the Tigers were 2-3 in road games.

For the Eagles, they come in riding back-to-back 13-win seasons and are one win away now from capturing a championship for the first time in school history.

They are led by senior running back Jayden McCaster and senior defensive back Randy Flint. Among all players, McCaster is second in rushing yards (2035) and first in touchdowns (36) while Flint is among the top leaders in interceptions (8).

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — For the first time in stadium history, Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western State University is hosting all seven Missouri high school football championship games.

Known as the Show-Me Bowl, the stadium will host classes one through six and the 8-man football championship from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6.

The championship games will feature 14 high school teams competing for their state championships. Missouri Western has previously hosted the 8-man championship game 12 times, including last year’s.

According to St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely, the new venue was made possible for all seven games after Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri, was no longer available.

This new opportunity has presented excitement from within the Sports Commission.

“That’s what we enjoy about the opportunity to host is these teams are coming here to win a championship. We’re gonna award seven more championship trophies right here in Saint Joseph,” said Esely.

Esely urges all St. Joseph and Missouri natives who love State championship football to come to Spratt Stadium this weekend.

The 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 Show-Me Bowls are slated to be hosted at Spratt Stadium.

All tickets for the games are exclusively available online at the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA).

Dec. 4, 8-Man Football:

7 p.m. Worth County with Northeast Nodaway vs Rock Port Championship

Dec. 5, 11-Man Football:

11 a.m. Lift for Life Academy Charter vs Seneca Class 3 Championship

3 p.m. Putnam County vs Tipton Class 1 Championship

7 p.m. Platte County vs Carthage Class 5 Championship

Dec. 6, 11-Man Football:

11 a.m. Kearney vs Hannibal Class 4 Championship

3 p.m. St. Pius X (Festus) vs Blair Oaks Class 2 Championship

7 p.m. Lee’s Summit vs Nixa Class 6 Championship

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News-Press NOW

By: Darren Doyle

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A longtime community nonprofit is ensuring children in the area have a proper holiday season.

Grace House will host a toy giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 13, for children up to 12 years old. Parents and guardians are preferred to attend the event with their children. 

The pure joy and appreciation children show keep Grace House Director Ruth Costello’s passion for giving to the community alive. 

“Our motto is ‘It’s free for a smile’, so to me, the joy is watching the kids, watching the parent that can’t afford to buy five new toys to get some toys for her kids,” Costello said. 

Along with one free wrapped new toy, children who attend will receive a snack bag and have a chance to create a fun balloon sculpture with a balloon artist. 

This event is set to take place from 8 to 10 a.m. at 2638 Lafayette St. Anyone with questions is asked to contact the store at 816-262-9401. 

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) —  Missouri Western State University once again took part in its annual “Giving Tuesday” donation drive — a day dedicated to supporting programs and services across campus. 

This year, MoWest teamed up with the Campus Cupboard, the Military and Veteran Services Center and Athletics.  

“To kind of help them get life learning opportunities to help future and current Griffins…Then, also through our Campus Cupboard is a great partnership to provide food and household goods,” Development Officer Jennifer Vanourney said.

Vanourney said Giving Tuesday is all about encouraging people to give back to their communities.

She added that these donations made to MoWest directly benefit students in the classroom through applied learning programs and scholarships that help them stay on track.

“We set a monetary goal of $27,000. We’ve raised over $32,000. It’s just it’s really to partner together with the community and alumni of Mowest to show our support for the programs here,” Vanourney said.  

Overall, around $28,000 of that total went toward unrestricted funds, while $1,600 of the total funds went toward MoWest’s Campus Cupboard.

Funds will help with student food and supply resources, as well as scholarships.

The university has extended the donation deadline through Friday, Dec. 5. Anyone interested can go to MoWest’s website and choose which program they’d like to support.  

Vanourney said every program is a great option and contributions — whether monetary or donated items — all make a difference. She explained that where the donations go depends on what people give.  

“Campus Cupboard provides food and different household supplies for our students. So that will directly impact them…And then our unrestricted (funds) goes directly into helping students with scholarships and funding different programs on campus,” Vanourney added.  

She hopes all funds raised through these partnerships create a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of students.  

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News-Press NOW

By: Zac Scott

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — St. Joseph has been seen by Axios News as one of the top cities for job opportunities and growth on Indeed.

According to the report, American Cities were surveyed to determine which had the largest number of Indeed opportunities from February 1, 2020, to October 31, 2025.

Once the survey was completed, St. Joseph reported an 81% increase in job postings. The opportunities in St. Joseph were higher than in larger cities such as San Francisco and Washington, D.C. 

“I think people are leaving big cities. There’s a lot of issues nationwide with big cities, taxes, and commutes,” said Director of Communications and Marketing with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Kristi Bailey. “I think a lot of people are finding the value in smaller metros like St Joseph.”

Bailey has been looking into the online job market and said most major employers in St. Joseph have been going online to find the top candidates for their positions.

“I think a lot of our major employers have started using Indeed. I was looking at it this morning, and a lot of the major employers are using it, but also a lot of smaller employers are using it,” said Bailey.

With over 3,000 jobs currently on Indeed for the St. Joseph area, Bailey hopes the city grows into the employment hub aimed to bring Northwest Missourians together.

“I think people kind of tend to forget that a lot about St Joseph is we’re not just St Joseph,” said Bailey. “We’re the hub for Northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. People come to us for healthcare. They come to us to shop. We’re really that hub of the metro area. So they come to us for jobs too.”

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Rogers Pharmacy is hosting its annual coat drive, marking the fourth year for the event.

This year, the drive will focus on providing coats for the homeless. Gloves, hats and scarves can be donated as well.

Rose Hatfield, Rogers Pharmacy lead clerk, said the drive has received quite a bit of donations, but is hoping to see more.

“We are still trying to get more coats, scarves, hats and gloves so we can get that passed out to the homeless and also to the food kitchen,” she said.

Hartfield also expressed that she enjoys being able to provide this resource for the community.

“It gets cold in the wintertime. I just started doing this and I just feel like it’s a good thing,” Hatfield said.

Rogers Pharmacy is accepting all donations, which can be dropped off in the box at the front entrance until Thursday, Dec. 11.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced a public meeting to discuss an expedited bridge replacement project on the Gene Field Road Bridge over Interstate 29.

The bridge, built in 1962, was scheduled to be replaced in 2027; however, it closed in early November after being struck by an oversized load, accelerating the start of the project. Evaluations from MoDOT determined the bridge would remain closed until structural improvements could be carried out.

The project is currently scheduled to go out for contractor bids as part of MoDOT’s January 2026 letting.

According to MoDOT, the bridge normally carries around 6,500 vehicles per day. The new bridge will include a decorative form liner and sidewalks on each side, connecting to the existing sidewalk on the west side of the bridge. 

The public is invited to attend an open house meeting between 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at MoDOT’s Northwest District Office, located at 3602 North Belt Highway.

Attendees can speak with project leaders about timelines, processes and share their thoughts and concerns about the project. There will be no formal presentation, according to MoDOT.

MoDOT said if anyone is unable to attend, there will be other opportunities for public comment through the project website or by mailing comments addressed to:

Gene Field Road Bridge Replacement Project, Missouri Department of Transportation at 3602 North Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO 64506.

All comments will need to postmarked by Wednesday, Dec. 31.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Sixteen of the top academic achievers in the area will be recognized this weekend as finalists for prestigious local scholarships.

The Cotillion for Achievement, now in its 39th year, is set to announce the finalists for the 2026 Cotillion class during a private event on Sunday at the Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Center.

This year, 16 finalists will be represented from nine of the eligible high schools in Andrew and Buchanan County, with each earning $1,000 scholarships, including $2,000 scholarships to the top male and female.

A panel of five community leaders served as judges to review and score the applications to determine the top finalists, eight women and eight men. Applications were scored on scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement and a written essay.

The finalists will participate in three Adventure in Achievement seminars during the month of January, offering leadership skills, self-image, communication skills, and community engagement.

They will also sit for an interview with the judges to vie for the top male and top female award of a $2,000 scholarship each, which will be awarded at the annual ball scheduled for Feb. 21, 2026.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is hosting 12 international tour operators and journalists as they look to explore all the city has to offer.

The visit comes as part of the Travel South USA International Showcase, which is currently being held in Kansas City, Missouri.

Those visiting are representing the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Tour operators specialize in selling travel experiences to independent travelers and are always seeking new ideas and destinations to offer clients. The visiting journalists are travel writers who specialize in stories to inspire individuals to travel.

The opportunity is part of a familiarization experience aimed at educating the tour operators and journalists on travel and tourism opportunities. Specifically, their visit to the region signals growth in international interest and is an opportunity for communities to leave a strong impression.

“It’s not every day we get to welcome a dozen people whose job is to plan or write about international experiences,” said Christian Mengel, director of communications and marketing at the CVB. “Maybe not all of them have previously heard of St. Joseph, but they have all heard of something related to our story. So, it’s an incredible opportunity for them to spend time in the region exploring St. Joseph and putting names with places for their audiences to visit someday.”

During their time in St. Joseph, guests will explore unique places known to attract a strong amount of international attention, such as the Pony Express Museum, the Patee House and Jesse James Home and the Glore Psychiatric Museum.

Travel South’s International Showcase is the top marketplace event for the South, which is the region international travelers widely recognize Missouri in, according to a news release.

Over 400 tourism professionals gather for three days of intensive meetings with the goal of delivering more visitors, spending more time and more money in the southern region of the United States.

For more information on Travel South USA or the Travel South International Showcase, visit its website.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Families and children are invited to spend an upcoming holiday Sunday with Santa Claus and the men and women in blue as they protect and serve up Christmas cookies this time around.

St. Joseph PD’s Night Shift B is hosting a special holiday gathering at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Families and kids will have the opportunity to join St. Joseph Police and St. Nick for free cookies, coloring and arts/crafts activities.

Free photos will Santa will also be available at the event for interested families. Photos will be provided digitally.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 is located at 621 S. 36th Street in St. Joseph.

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