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Euphenie Andre

COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ)

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, medical experts are reminding families to keep safety at the heart of their celebrations. Overeating and holiday stress can pose health risks, especially for people with underlying conditions, according to experts, so planning your meals carefully is key.

Macaroni, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes are staples on many Thanksgiving tables. While these comfort foods are a favorite, Dr. Regina DePietro with MU Health Care emphasized the importance of having a balanced plate to avoid bloating and other post-meal issues.

“Try to arrange your food so that you’re getting a good amount of fiber in your food,” DePietro said. “So, that would be like half of your plate is fiber and vegetables, a quarter of your plate, protein and then a quarter of your plate are those delicious, rich foods like mashed potatoes and corn casserole.”

DePietro also advises people to eat smaller meals throughout the day to avoid overindulging once dinner is served. Starting your meal with vegetables or fiber can help prevent overeating and control blood sugar spikes.

According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, heavy meals and holiday stress can trigger health complications, particularly for those with pre-existing health issues.

“Sometimes overindulging can increase your risk of having a health event later in the day, especially if you’re adding alcohol into the mix. So, just be careful of not overeating and not overdrinking during the holidays,” DePietro said.

If you find yourself feeling sleepy after a meal, it’s often due to too many carbohydrates. Balancing your meal with proteins, carbs, and fats can help maintain steady energy levels.

DePietro recommends staying upright for about an hour after eating and taking a walk to aid digestion. While it’s normal to indulge during the holidays, being mindful of portion sizes and food choices can keep your celebration safe and enjoyable.

Medical experts also warn that foodborne illnesses can mimic flu-like symptoms, though they typically do not cause a fever. The American College of Emergency Physicians estimates that each year:

48 million people get sick from foodborne illnesses

128,000 are hospitalized

3,000 die

Food poisoning can be caused by bacteria, such as salmonella or clostridium botulinum. Most cases resolve within a few days, but symptoms may include:

Headache

Nausea

Vomiting or diarrhea

Stomach cramps

More severe symptoms can include blurred vision, fatigue, and dry mouth. Symptoms usually appear within two hours to two days after consuming contaminated food.

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News-Press NOW

By: Alexis Kuhnert

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Eight individuals graduated from the 11-month Buchanan County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Paramedic program Monday morning.

The program has been around for three years.

One instructor, Joseph Pike, said the program starts off with about five weeks of studying anatomy and physiology, which is a requirement for paramedics. 

Afterwards, students gain experience through being part of simulations for instruction.

One graduate, Jordan Pearson, first took an interest in EMS in high school.

“I did my EMT program through Hillyard my senior year, and then this program. I waited about a year and a half before I came to do this,” Pearson said.

Now that Pearson has graduated, he said he’s in shock and other graduates said they feel the same way.

The next step is to take the National Registry of Emergency Technicians (NREMT).

“After we pass that, they test for minimum competency to make sure we can operate as a safe provider,” Pearson said. “After we pass that, and we’ll come get our state licensure level and we’ll be able to operate as paramedics.”

Julie Mason, another graduate, started as an EMT before the program and worked in the field for two years.

As Mason watched the medics she worked with, it inspired her to follow a path to this program.

“I wouldn’t have traded it for anything,” Mason said. “This has truly been the best experience that I could have went through. It’s accelerated, it’s intense, but it’s home.”

Pike said there’s a need for paramedics now more than ever.

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News-Press NOW

By: Chris Roush, News Director

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — St. Joseph was once known as a “modern wonder,” outperforming Kansas City and Chicago, and while that might not be realistic today, there are some local business leaders who want to see the city grow again.

This river town was built on the backs of trading, railroads and manufacturing. According to the Chicago Times in 1886, St. Joseph “is a modern wonder…wholesale trade as large as Kansas City and Chicago combined.”

It’s been almost 140 years since the newspaper article was published, and a lot has changed. St. Joseph has changed. 

For St. Joseph in 2025, the city is facing a declining population as communities diminish. The birthrate has also fallen below the death rate. 

According to one local business leader, one way the city can reverse the declining population is a thriving school district.

“When you look at any thriving community in America, one of the foundations is a thriving school district,” said Kevin Kelly, former LifeLine Foods CEO.

The St. Joseph School District’s Board of Education is set to decide the future of the district Monday night, and Kelly is urging the board to move the district and city forward.

“When you have that, you have got families, you’ve got kids, and you’ve got a business community all working together to make sure that the town moves forward in a positive direction, and quite frankly, we don’t have a thriving school district,” Kelly said.

Kelly, who just retired, said St. Joseph is a great community, but is concerned about its future.

The concern stems from the direction of the school district.

He has worked on previous district bond issues, which were passed, and believes the district can be a big motivator for the community.

“Long term, if we don’t improve the school district, the town is going to suffer,” Kelly said. “Businesses are not going to come here. They’re not going to expand here. Jobs will go away. Tax revenue will go down.”

According to data from the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, almost 25% of jobs in St. Joseph are in education or healthcare. There are another 20% in manufacturing, but not all of the individuals and families who work in St. Joseph live in St. Joseph.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily hard to understand why we sometimes have difficulty getting employees with families to move to St. Joseph,” Kelly said. “They’re aware of some of the school district issues, and as such, they go to the surrounding communities and drive in for their job.”

Some families have also chosen to live outside of the city and send their kids to other districts around St. Joseph.

Other families choose local private schools like St. Joseph Catholic or St. Joseph Christian.

According to data from St. Joseph Christian, student enrollment has doubled from 265 students in Pre-K through 12th grade during the 2014-15 school year to 507 in Pre-K through 12th grade in 2025-26.

School district officials have stated the district-wide model needs to change because of its falling enrollment; however, several community members want to keep the three high school model because they love their neighborhood schools.

Kelly understands the desire to keep SJSD’s current model, but wants to see the city move forward.

“Help me understand, are you still using a rotary dial phone? Are you still using a fax machine? Did you commute in horse and buggy? No. No. And no,” Kelly said. “Progress happens. St. Joseph needs to progress.”

During recent SJSD school board public hearings, other business leaders have spoken up.

Pat Dillon, Mosaic Life Care’s Chief Government and Community Relations Officer, shared what would happen if the school district didn’t improve at the board’s first public hearing. 

“Too many families are going to continue to move out of St. Joe and move to other communities because of their school district,” Dillon said. “And when that happens, we continue to lose population, we continue to lose enrollment and we continue to lose a tax base.”

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce president Natalie Hawn spoke during a November public comment session.

“Straying from a long-range plan will affect the growth here in St. Joseph,” Hawn said. “Local businesses need a well-educated workforce and an environment that attracts families. Parents are attracted to outdated, undersized or inefficient schools.”

St. Joseph is not the biggest city in Missouri, but is still in the Top 10. According to data, St. Joseph has the 9th largest population throughout the state.

St. Joseph is also the third largest exporter in the state, according to data from the Chamber of Commerce.

St. Joseph won’t catch Chicago or Kansas City soon, population-wise, but people like Kelly believe its community can still thrive.

Kelly said, for the community to thrive, it must start with the school district and the leadership of the board.

“I would ask the school board to please make decisions that are going to improve the school district, regardless of the hate mail, emails and social media responses you get,” Kelly said. “It’s not easy to be a leader, but we expect it out of the board because that’s what’s going to drive positive change in the school district.”

SJSD’s board is scheduled to vote on the long-range plan at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, at its board meeting in Central High School’s Auditorium. 

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Labor unions for St. Joseph police officers and 911 dispatchers have agreed to terms on new working contracts to boost salaries between 3% and 6%, measures that now head to City Council for formal approval.

Monday’s City Council meeting featured two amended contract agreements for first reading with the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #3, as well as the Emergency Communication Operators, Lodge #1, which represents the City’s communication operator classifications and 911 dispatchers.

The agreement with FOP will see the city appropriate $450,000 in Police Sales Tax funds to implement a 6% salary increase for the St. Joseph Police Department retroactive to June 30, 2025. The agreement also includes a 4% salary increase for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28, with a minimum adjustment of 2.5%.

Four St. Joseph Police officers talk near 16th and Grand streets in 2024 in St. Joseph. 

The FOP Lodge #3 represents commissioned police officers, detectives, and sergeants for the purpose of collective bargaining.

A second agreement with the Emergency Communication Operators, Lodge #1, would raise salaries by 3% for fiscal years 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28.

“I wanted to thank both the FOP and the Emergency Communications Lodge #1, it really was a good process through labor management and I really appreciate them working with the city,” City Manager Mike Schumacher said Monday.

Other changes in the police contract include revisions to overtime requirements and allowing the Chief of Police to designate overtime as mandatory for large-scale events when operationally necessary. 

The contract with dispatch includes updates to overtime procedures, revisions to the shift selection process and the removal of the discipline and point-based system.

The agreement also includes an Out of-Title pay adjustment for Lead Operators to align compensation practices with those applied to other City employee groups when performing higher-level duties.

Final approval of both contract agreements will take place at the next City Council meeting on Dec. 8.

FOP Working AgreementDownload

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced it will pay tribute to fallen officers throughout the holiday season.

General Headquarters, division offices and troop headquarters will display blue lights starting Monday, Nov. 24, through Friday, Jan. 2, as part of the “Project Blue Light” initiative.

MSHP said 31 members throughout the patrol’s history have given their lives providing service and protection to Missouri’s citizens.

Project Blue Light serves as a way to honor the 31 troopers and the more than 700 other law enforcement officers in Missouri who have made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their duties.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In the event of a fire, search and rescue or other emergency situation, local personnel could have a new set of eyes in the sky backing them up.

A contract for first reading on Monday’s City Council agenda, if approved, would authorize a five year agreement with Axon Enterprise to purchase six Skydio drones and two Skydio docking “nest” systems for $1,372,616, with $274,523 to be appropriated for the first year payment.

Capable of moving up to 45 mph and equipped with advanced 360-degree cameras, spotlights, night vision and enhanced AI, Skydio’s state-of-the-art drones would provide a critical vantage point for police, firefighters, public works and transit, boosting response times and safety for residents and public safety officers.

Skydio’s technology enables drones to autonomously launch from fixed stations in response to any location that a bus can travel to, all emergency calls, all the while providing real-time video and data to responding staff or officers.

Using dispatch and CAD systems, drones can respond automatically within seconds, serving as first responder units, assisting police officers and firefighters before they arrive on scene and providing rapid situational awareness at transit stops or transit vehicles, among numerous capabilities.

Drones would even be able to help snow plow crews by evaluating snow routes and verifying completion of snow removal, among other useful capabilities.

Additional capabilities with drone technology

Can be used to inspect bridges for damage.

Bus shelters can be inspected, saving manpower.

Monitor real-time traffic and transit conditions

Identify obstructions or route hazards, and provide early alerts for congestion or delays.

Enhances the City’s ability to prioritize maintenance and ensure safe travel for transit users and the public

The contract on Monday’s City Council agenda also includes all of the necessary software, accessories, equipment and product warranties. A likely final vote on the measure will take place at the next Council meeting on Dec. 8.

Axon agreementDownload

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Community members will have the chance to not only listen but lend their vocal talents to an upcoming slate of timeless holiday classics.

The St. Joseph Community Chorus has announced a pair of holiday programs this December featuring district sounds from an ensemble of handbells to the melodic range of talented soloists.

On Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church will host “Messiah Sing-A-Long,” a free showcase of uplifting choruses from Handel’s Messiah.

Under the direction of Dr. Timothy Tharaldson with Dr. Ruth Krusemark, participants will have the opportunity to join together to sing the Christmas portion of the oratorio, all with the accompaniment of an organ and soloists from the Community Chorus.

Singers are encouraged to bring their own score. However, they will be available for those who do not bring their own.

Admission for the event is free, however donations are welcomed.

The St. Joseph Community Chorus announces two showings of “Christmas at the Cathedral” 

SJCC will present two showings of its holiday tradition “Christmas at the Cathedral,” on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. and Monday, December 22 at 7 p.m. at Cathedral of St. Joseph, 519 N. 10th St.

Joining SJCC are the acclaimed musicians of Rezound!, Kansas City’s premier auditioned handbell ensemble.

Rezound! features 15 ringers performing on an array of instruments: 6½ octaves of Schulmerich handbells, 6 octaves of Malmark choir chimes, 4½ octaves of Whitechapel bells and additional sets from Petit & Fritsen and Maas-Rowe.

Together, SJCC and Rezound! will perform three stunning collaborations: Anna Laura Page’s “Creation Will Be at Peace,” “Christmas Is Coming” by Joel Raney, and “Ring Out Ye Bells” by Marques L.A. Garrett, Samuel Carlton, and Dan Forrest.

Admission is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and is free for all students.

For additional information on both events visit stjoechorus.org.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Construction crews are well on their way to completing St. Joseph’s new animal shelter by mid-2026.

Motorists passing along South Belt Highway will see considerable progress being made on the exterior of the new $5 million shelter at 3405 S. Belt Highway.

“So far the timeline is on track. The construction team with E.L. Crawford is doing a fantastic job on the timeline,” St. Joseph Animal Services Director Holly Bowie said. “They’re shooting for late June, but we’re being pretty open minded.”

E.L. Crawford Construction is tasked with building the 13,000-square-foot facility, a significant upgrade with 5,000 additional square feet of space compared to the aging and outdated facility at 701 S.W. Lower Lake Road.

Bowie received a tour of the project on Wednesday as crews carried out various tasks like hanging drywall and installing windows. By Thursday, crews were pouring cement on the front and back end of the building. A significant portion of exterior work has been checked off the list at this point.

“They’re in the part of the job where they’re doing a lot of the electrical and plumbing and things like that. So we’re not seeing as much beyond the walls going up as what’s really happening right now,” Bowie said. “We have a design team from the shelter who we meet with on a regular basis.”

In the meantime, animal shelter officials are taking steps to prepare for a smooth transition when the time comes, including potential adjustments in operations that come with a larger facility.

Staff have been running through different scenarios so they can troubleshoot ahead of time.

“It’s giving us a lot to think about. You know, we’re thinking about the increase in traffic that we may very well experience and how we’re going to manage that with our current staffing,” she said. “Even establishing some of this practice up here on (Lower Lake Road) so that it’s easier when we move.”

The new animal shelter is designed to provide adequate space to house dogs and cats separately to avoid stressing the animals. The new building will also have more areas to visit with adoptable animals.

A $5 million project, funding was made possible thanks to $1.7 million from the Friends of the Animal Shelter, as well as $3.3 million in capital improvements funding from the city.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren’t here just yet, but holiday shopping certainly is. Online shopping has become the “new normal” due to the convenience and reliability, but just like any form of online use, safety concerns remain.

Websites like Amazon and Target are used because of their safety and reliability; however, a safety concern people run into during holiday shopping online is visiting unfamiliar websites.

Shoppers can get unlucky when the item they were searching for is unavailable online.

Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Detective, Capt. Thomas Cates is familiar with internet scams and is urging shoppers to be smart online this holiday season.

“Sticking with known sellers is the main thing that you want to do. If you’re looking at a major retail site such as Target, you need to make sure that you’re actually at Target.com or whatever the official website name is that you’ve been directed there from, usually by Google or some other reputable search engine,” said Thomas Cates.

Known sellers are the safest and most reliable option. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency(CISA), many of these websites have fake spoof sites, often accessible through spam emails or fake ads.

“You click on that and it takes you to a website that looks kind of like the normal retailer’s website, but slightly different, or maybe you just get an odd feeling about it, or you can’t verify that sale page on the retailer’s traditional website, then it’s most likely going to be a scam,” said Cates.

These look-alike websites are often a scammer trying to target shoppers for their information by offering fake items with too-good-to-be-true deals.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — After six months of bouncing between different reorganization plans, St. Joseph residents are expressing exhaustion.

For months now, the big question around town has been which plan the school board will finally choose and put into action. Residents know, no single plan will make every person happy, but the long wait for clarity is starting to wear on families, students and staff more than ever.  

At the most recent public hearing, community members didn’t hold back. Many shared just how emotionally draining this process has been.  

Lt. Col. David L. Jones, vice president of the St. Joseph National Education Association, urged the board to recognize how painful this has been across the district.

Jones shared his opinion, as Benton High School’s future was on the line for a period of time, before the SJSD School Board began reviewing other options.

“I think, you know, many people have the sentiment or the feeling. It’s almost like a terrorist act on the South Side, their very heart and souls are being ripped out of their community,” Jones said.  

He pushed the board to choose a plan that causes the least disruption for families and kids who are just trying to get through the school year.  

Sophomore Chloe Strong from Benton High School also stepped up to the mic. She pleaded for the board to adopt plan 4BR — a plan she said connects deeply with her family’s legacy.  

“I am confused how we got here. Just when we thought the board was listening to the students and the families around St. Joe, just to wind up here again. Now all we can do is plead tonight to tell you we need a decision to be made,” Strong added.  

Another voice came from 2006 Lafayette graduate and current Benton cheer coach, Becky Hill, who argued the district must keep all three high schools open and return to the community-built Plan E.  

Hill said if it hadn’t been for cheerleading at Lafayette, she never would’ve found the sense of belonging she needed during those years. Now that she’s back in the district, coaching at Benton, she said that same connection is what helps her bond with her own students.  

“Growing up, I came from a low-income background, and my family didn’t have money for the cheer lessons. If Lafayette had not existed, I would have never had the chance to cheer,” Hill said.  

Parents also weighed in. Jackie Kiger urged the board to slow down, take a breath and rethink what’s at stake — not just for buildings, but for kids.  

“I ask you to please stop this madness. For some of these kids, this is the only family and safe place they have. Think about their mental health and the overall well-being of all of our students,” Kiger said.  

Following Wednesday’s public comment session, the board agreed it would move on to vote on Plan 4BR, which would retain Benton and Central as high schools, but would move Lafayette to a middle school.

The board has reviewed 14 different plans, which include different high school model examples.

SJSD families, students and staff have dealt with the back-and-forth and high emotions associated with the decision and the pressure the board has with choosing which model will best suit the district.

The board is expected to take a vote on Monday, Nov. 24.

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