Author: News-Press NOW

News-Press NOW

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect a correction. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in Kansas City posted the court’s judgment in the Steve A. McBee case that showed a jail sentence of 41 months. The court later posted an amended judgment setting the sentence at 24 months.

GALLATIN, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Reality star and farmer Steve A. McBee was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $4 million in restitution Thursday, according to media outlets.

McBee, 53, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to fraudulent activity from 2018 to 2020 that caused an economic loss to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

McBee previously agreed to pay about $3.2 million in a money judgment that represents his gain from the fraud. The court also imposed two years of supervised release once the prison sentence is complete.

Additionally, authorities ordered McBee to surrender on Dec. 1, 2025, and the court recommended McBee serve his prison sentence at a federal prison in Yankton, South Dakota.

McBee and the McBee Family Farms also defaulted on a $1.3 million loan with Rabo Agrifinance LLC, according to a judgment filed on Aug. 13, 2025, in the Daviess County Circuit Court.

U.S. Attorneys also filed a notice and bill of particulars for the forfeiture of property with the court on Aug. 29, requiring McBee to forfeit three wrist watches.

The reality star of “The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys”, which was recently renewed for its third season and is streaming on Peacock, runs their family farm with his sons, Steve Jr., Cole, Jesse and Brayden.

It was revealed during season two of the show that the farm was about $70 million in debt.

The family also owns several carwash sites throughout the state of Missouri.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The AFL-CIO Community Services is preparing to launch one of its largest annual initiatives.

For more than 40 years, the AFL-CIO has matched people, local groups, organizations and businesses with families, disabled adults and seniors in the community through its Adopt-a-Family program.

The program provides basic necessities and gifts for those in need to enjoy the Christmas holiday and to feel like they haven’t been forgotten.

Those interested in applying for the program will be required to meet one of the following qualifiers:

have children under the age of 18 in the household

actively receive disability or social security benefits

be over the age of 63

If any household has questions about their qualification status, they should contact the agency before applying.

Applications can only be obtained Monday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Dec. 5, at agency offices or through the agency’s website.

The deadline to return applications to the agency is no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8.

Applicants will be charged a $2 processing fee if they choose to pick up a pamphlet from the agency or if they choose to print it. A $3 processing fee will be charged if applicants complete the form on the agency’s website.

After an application has been returned, staff will call applicants to complete the application.

Families, organizations or businesses who would like to adopt a deserving family, disabled adult or senior can stop by the AFL-CIO at 1203 N. 6th St. beginning Wednesday, Nov. 14.

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Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Registration is now open for the 2025 St. Joseph Veterans’ Day parade.

The parade will take place on Veterans’ Day, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Downtown St. Joseph.

The route will begin at 10:30 a.m., and the starting point will be at 10th and Francis Streets. The route will proceed north on 8th Street to Jules and will circle around City Hall.

The parade will end where it begins, on 10th and Francis.

The registration deadline for floats and other participants is Friday, Nov. 7.

According to parade guidelines, entries must be in the staging area no later than 45 minutes before the start of the parade. All floats must be related to veterans, and those driving a motor vehicle must have a valid driver’s license.

To register, visit the Joint Veterans Committee of Greater St. Joseph Facebook page.

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Alec Pascuzzi

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Despite National Pasta Day being celebrated on Friday, Oct. 17, a local 5-star restaurant owner said “every day is National Pasta Day”.

EMI Ristorante opened its doors back in May of 2024, with the restaurant only being open a few nights a week. Over one year later, the restaurant has doubled its hours.

“Now we’re open, you know, four nights a week, open to the whole community,” said Erik Borger, the owner of EMI Ristorante, located on Frederick Avenue.

EMI Ristorante has desired to offer St. Joseph a taste of Italy. All of its pasta and pizza is handmade, cooked with fresh ingredients from Italy.

The restaurant is aimed at providing St. Joseph a sense of love and community through its food.

“This was a love letter to St. Joe. So this is the atmosphere that I love, the community that I love to partake in, that I want to pour my life into,” said Borger. “I had to decide, do I want to move to Italy full-time, or do I want to stay here and give back the things that I love, the things that I’ve learned over the years in Italy. And here we are,” said Borger.

EMI Ristorante is open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

People Not Politicians’ lawyer claims a referendum on the new congressional map passed by the Missouri legislature is protected under state law.

This comes after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a lawsuit in a federal court on Wednesday to block the referendum from getting on the November 2026 ballot.

The new congressional map is likely to cut out a Missouri Democrat from the U.S. House of Representatives. Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the map into law Sept. 28, labeling it “Missouri First.”

Missouri is one of several red states where President Donald Trump has pushed Republican-friendly redistricting plans to boost the party’s House majority.

Attorney Chuck Hatfield, who is representing the group, said the legal battle hinges on the words “An act of the General Assembly,” which are written in the bill authorising a new congressional map and in the referendum law.

Hanaway argues in the lawsuit that the U.S. Constitution gives the Missouri legislature the sole power to redistrict the state, and the referendum takes away that power.

“The Constitution entrusts congressional redistricting to the people’s elected legislature, not to activist organizations bankrolled by undisclosed donors,” Hanaway wrote in a statement released Wednesday. “If allowed to proceed, this effort would destroy faith in our elections and set a dangerous precedent where outside interests could override constitutional order.”

Secretary of State Denny Hoskins approved People Not Politicians’ petition for circulation this week after initially rejecting the forms submitted last month. Hoskins said in his approval that signatures gathered earlier are no longer valid — something People Not Politicians claims is not correct.

People Not Politicians is asking for an injunction with a hearing by Nov. 15 to stop the state from implementing the new map.

Several lawsuits have been filed to overturn the new congressional district map.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District Foundation honored nine employees with “surprise patrol” visits.

The nine selected SJSD faculty were presented with Apple Seed Grants recognizing their contributions to innovative education ideas. The total amount of funding given out was over $18,000.

The Following teachers received grants from the SJSD Foundation:

Danyelle Gonzales, Math Teacher, Central High School: Math Connections with Robotics, which uses hands-on robotics to help teach math classes.

Nicole Adams, 5th Grade Teacher, Oak Grove Elementary: Book Buddies book club, pairing reading with physical activities

Madison Michalski, Teacher, Field Elementary: Little Ears, Big Ideas which will have students perform no screen based listening activities.

Rhianna Villanueva, Library Facilitator, Coleman Elementary: 3D Pen Station will see the Coleman library an open-access STEM based makerspace.

Kaitlyn Poage, 6th Grade Teacher, Eugene Field Elementary: Gridiron Geometry 3D has students creating replica models of NFL stadiums.

Elizabeth Hoskins & Becky Carter, Bode Middle School & Central High School: Creative Currents has students learn and practice different art styles.

Tomi Violett, Kindergarten Teacher, Hyde Elementary: STEM Bins will have kindergarteners turn everyday items into different creations.

Lucy Mize, Math Teacher, Lafayette High School: Escape Room Math will see students create their own escape room with algebra, geometry and logic.

Kathleen Adams, Kindergarten Teacher, Hosea Elementary: World Literacy for Little Learners will have kindergarteners explore real-world careers through literacy.

One of the teachers nominated, Kaitlyn Poage, expressed her appreciation for the grant and explained how her class will be using the funding for 3D printers to fabricate the models of NFL stadiums.

“The idea came one of my teaching partners was really big into sports,” Poage said. “When we talked her into coming to teach sixth grade this year, she said on one condition, ‘We do an NFL theme’. I was trying to think where we can go with this idea. And that’s when i came up with the 3D printing NFL stadiums.”

The finished Stadiums will be displayed in a Super Bowl themed expo in February.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — As the St. Joseph community comes together to honor survivors of domestic violence in October, local police are also playing a big part in that effort. 

The St. Joseph Police Department has officers specially trained to respond to domestic violence calls. Officers step in to help people in danger and make sure those who need protection get it right away. 

Detective Jullian Cecil said when new recruits go through the police academy, they’re taught the basics of domestic violence response. But once they officially join the department, that’s when they really learn how to handle those cases out in the field.  

“When we arrive on scene, we separate both parties if they are present and try to look at the totality of the case and make any arrests that needs to be made,” Cecil said.  

He emphasized the important role the YWCA plays after a survivor files a report. Once they fill out a short form and answer a few questions, the organization steps in to offer support and connect them with services to help guide them forward.  

He mentioned that over the past few years, the number of domestic-related calls in St. Joseph has remained fairly steady, with no major increase or decrease in cases.  

“This year we are sitting at approximately 700 domestics which has been a trend within the last few years. So if there’s an issue that’s happening in the moment call 911,” Cecil said.  

He said officers completely understand that making a call for help can be difficult — especially if the aggressor is nearby — because it could put the person’s safety at risk.  

Cecil added that there have been several cases where pets were put in danger, with aggressors using the threat of harming the animal as a way to intimidate the other person.  

“We have the services that you can text 911. We would need to know the address and the dispatcher will text but it may be difficult sometimes since we don’t want to make it obvious that you are texting an officer,” Cecil said.  

Cecil emphasized the importance of reaching out for help. Once someone reports a concern, the department can begin investigating the situation from there.  

“You make a call or text a dispatcher and then the dispatcher will send an officer to the scene and they will make contact with whoever made the phone call to understand the scene,” Cecil said.

Cecil also mentioned that if a situation doesn’t warrant an arrest, officers will separate both parties for the night and begin investigating the incident from there. 

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local small business has plans to host a family-friendly Fall Festival.

The Kids Kingdom, located at 6968 King Hill Ave., is hosting the festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18.

The festival will include games, a trunk and treat, crafts, food and more. All the kids are encouraged to wear their costumes to the festival.

Multiple small businesses will come together to help put on the new festival.

Some of the businesses include: Creatures by Theresa, Cajun Cruiser, Brooklyn’s Creations and more. 

Kaeli Thomas, owner of The Kids Kingdom, said she decided to work with small businesses because she knows how hard it can be to get the word out about new businesses.

“I want to be able to help other small businesses get out there, just like I’m getting out there. So it helps them also get their name out there and also enjoy the fun-filled family event,” she said.

Thomas said her fall festival is different because she is trying to give back to the community and bring back South Side energy.

“We want to show that we’re there for people,” Thomas said. We want to show that we’re able to give back. And so I feel like it gives us a little bit of a difference because we’re wanting to give back.”

Thomas expressed excitement about this event, especially since it’s her first one.

“We’re wanting to go above and beyond. I’m most excited about seeing those kiddos and the smiles on their faces,” she said.

Thomas also said they plan on hosting similar events in the near future.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Fire Department responded to a garage fire around 4 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Fern Drive and Ferndale Avenue.

The garage is in close proximity to a residence at 3109 Fern Drive in St. Joseph.

Fire crews worked quickly to contain the fire but there were visible signs of damage to the property.  

The battalion chief on the scene said no injuries were reported. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire. 

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Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A school safety package that Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law this year requires students to participate in active school shooter drills starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Before Senate Bill 68 took effect in August, school district staff were only required to participate in active shooter drills.

While the new law does not specify the number of drills that must be conducted each year, it does require student participation.

Under Missouri’s ASIRT statute, teachers and school personnel are required by law to participate in simulated active shooter drills. However, broader training components such as identifying threats or responding to intruders are optional.

A report conducted by ProPublica last year found that most U.S. states require schools to conduct active shooter drills. It identified 13 states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, that do not mandate such drills. While Missouri is among the states that require active shooter drills, the mandate applies only to school staff, not students.

Colorado and Connecticut are known to have had the worst mass school shootings in U.S. history.

The Columbine school shooting in Colorado in 1999 left 13 people dead — 12 students and one teacher.

In Connecticut in 2012, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took place, leaving 20 people killed.

Senate Bill 68 also requires Missouri schools to develop response plans for armed intruders, natural disasters, and medical emergencies. The law mandates the use of anti-intruder locks and bullet-resistant window film in all new school construction by 2029, if state funding is provided.

Public school districts and charter schools must also report all school safety incidents and credible threats to the Missouri Department of Secondary Education. DESE will be required to maintain a database of reported incidents and threats and share data with the Department of Public Safety.

Under Senate Bill 68, a cellphone ban took effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year that prohibits students from using their phones during school hours. The policy requires schools to restrict device use during instructional time, with limited exceptions for emergencies and educational purposes.

The law required Columbia Public Schools to expand its policy from last year, when high school students were able to use cell phones outside of class periods.

Last year, the district had a cellphone policy in place that banned phone usage for middle school students all day, including in the bathrooms, hallways and lunch.

To implement the law, during school hours, cellphones must be turned off or on silent mode and stored in their backpacks or lockers.

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