Author: News-Press NOW

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Police Department has officially started its new security service known as “Shield Check”.

Officers with the SJPD have been doing overnight business checks, but the new service is meant to act as a way to alert owners that officers are patrolling the areas.

Any business that is checked by the department will have a Shield Check Door hanger with the officer’s name, along with the time and date they visited the owner’s property.

The hanger will also have the crime prevention email and phone number on the back to give feedback or request a security assessment.

One of the SJPD Shield Check door hangars.

The security assessments are meant for officers to give information to property owners that can help in an investigation.

“Officers can meet with you at your residence or business to give insight on some crime trends,” SJPD Sgt. Jeremy Peters said. “Where people typically force entry in different situations, possible physical vulnerabilities in your house or business. If you have surveillance cameras, we can look at what you have. Maybe recommend adjusting them to be more useful for us on investigations.”

For questions and information on the Shield Check security assessments, email crimeprevention@stjosephmo.gov or call 816-236-1473.

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Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a 12-mile canoe trip down the Missouri River on Saturday, Sept. 6.

This event aims to connect residents with the state’s natural resources while also emphasizing river safety.

The trip will launch from Nodaway Island Access and end at French Bottom Access. The MDC is providing canoes, paddles and life jackets for participants.

Although the Missouri River carries a reputation of being intimidating, MDC officials say this stretch of the river is relatively safe with lower water levels and minimal boat traffic.

Still, organizers stress that safety is a top priority.

TJ Peacher is the district supervisor for the MDC education division and shared the most important safety tips for canoeing.

“The life jacket — all participants and all staff will wear personal floatation devices at all times that they’re on the water,” said Peacher.

Lifejackets are crucial and MDC strongly encourages anyone canoeing on their own to do the same.

The department has also released safety tips for paddlers who may want to try the river outside of the event.

“I would not go by myself. I would make sure that there’s probably at least two canoes out there with you, and maybe a rope to help assist you on the trip,” said Peacher.

There are only 20 spots available per session, but due to the outpouring of support, there looks to be more events in the future.

“This is the first year for the trip, and we’re thrilled with the response,” said Peacher.

Peacher explained that the event had such a great participation rate, the MDC plans on doing several trips next year.

While this event has reached capacity, MDC encourages residents to get outdoors and explore Missouri’s waterways on their own.

Activities such as canoeing, kayaking and fishing can help people discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors.

For more information about future events, visit mdc.mo.gov/events

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A concrete repair and replacement project along the Stockyards Expressway will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Motorists traveling in the area of Lower Lake Road and Bluff View Drive may want to allow a little extra time for their drive, as the traffic will remain open, but will be reduced to two lanes during the repairs.

The lane closures are expected to last about a month, weather permitting.

The latest work, which has cost $240,000, continues a project previously started in the same area.

Drivers are asked to use caution and exercise patience during the repair process, as several large employers like Nestle Purina, Albaugh, Triumph Foods and Daily’s Premium Meats are located in the area.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In a meeting on Tuesday, the St. Joseph Community Alliance discussed preliminary community branding efforts.

Director Tom Brand and fellow Community Alliance members met at the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce and spoke about ways to promote and enhance a brand that loosely involves an array of community organizations, “Made with Uncommon Character”.

The members also discussed topics such as the upcoming World Cup, school districts and increasing communication with community stakeholders.

“The bottom line with the St. Joseph Community Alliance is investing in people, creating a better place,” said Brand.

St. Joseph Community Alliance members mentioned new faces involved in the alliance’s efforts, who offer new energy and perspectives, but have the same common goal of helping the St. Joseph local community.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The YWCA, in partnership with other local organizations, announced when it will present its 29th Annual Commitment to Eliminate Racism Breakfast.

The event will be held from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, in the YWCA Terrace Room, located at 304 N. Eighth St.

Those interested in attending the event can RSVP online by going to ywca.org/events or by calling 816-232-4481. RSVPs are due by Friday, Sept. 5.

Breakfast and coffee will be served, and the keynote address will be given by community leader and former Racial Justice Award recipient, David Howery.

The 2025 Kelsy Beshears Racial Justice Award recipients will be presented, followed by the annual pledge to eliminate racism.

The event is in partnership with the St. Joseph NAACP, Missouri Western State University and the United Way of Greater St. Joseph.

There is no cost to attend, but space is limited.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Western State University welcomed more than 800 new students on its campus for the first day of classes.

The new students include over 700 undergraduate freshmen and transfer students hailing from 24 different states.

MoWest cites an increase in the number of local students enrolling, compared to last year. Stating in a press release that a 4.8% increase in incoming freshmen came from MoWest’s 10-county service region, an 8.1% increase in new transfers from the 10-county region and a 10.2% increase in new freshmen with no prior college credit from Buchanan County.

“These numbers tell an important story: MoWest is becoming the school of choice for students in our own community,” said Andy Otto, the vice president of enrollment management and marketing. “We’ve seen strong growth not only among local transfer students who recognize the quality and support available here, but also among more students from right here in St. Joseph and the surrounding region who are choosing to start their college career with us.”

MoWest’s graduate programs also saw just over 100 new students.

The university said total enrollment on the first day of classes is currently flat year-over-year, indicating positive momentum in the enrollment trajectory.

MoWest said official enrollment data will not become official until four weeks into the new semester.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In an Instagram post on Tuesday, famous pop singer Taylor Swift announced her engagement to Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce.

The couple has been together for just over two years and has been facing engagement allegations for a little over a year.

A photo shows Travis Kelce holding Taylor Swift’s hand with an engagement ring.

The post caption on Instagram reads, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” and had over 1.8 million likes, minutes after she posted photos.

Swift has made frequent trips to Kansas City, Missouri, to spend time with the Chiefs player. She announced it on the Kelce Brothers’ recent New Heights Podcast episode.

Kelce, who just finished Chiefs Training Camp in St. Joseph, is preparing for another NFL Season.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSPEH, Mo (News-Press Now) — According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Missouri.

Dangerous temperatures can increase the risk for those with heart conditions. Some of those risks include heart attacks, strokes, dehydration and even reduced effectiveness of certain medications due to the heat.

The human body is able to control its body temperature, which is called thermoregulation, but people with heart disease have a hard time regulating their body temperature.

Chief Medical Officer of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Heidi Miller, said that people with heart disease have to work harder to fill up their blood vessels.

“Now, if somebody has a heart condition, that dilation or increase in the size of the blood vessels in the periphery around the skin can actually mean that the heart has to work really hard to fill up those blood vessels,” Miller said.

Although hot days can be tough on people with heart disease, Miller said she encourages her patients to go outside, preferably in the morning.

“Not only is it cooler first thing in the morning,  but we have a clock in our brain that we’ve had genetically for thousands of years. And it’s called a circadian rhythm.  And we do well when we are exposed to the sun, when the sun rises. There’s also more infrared rays. It’s good for the mood,” she said.

Heart medications can be affected in the heat. Miller said people with heart disease need to take special precautions if they are on heart medication.

“But certain medications like diuretics, which help with heart disease, heart failure, blood pressure, really good, helpful medication, can make someone more likely to become dehydrated,” she said.

Ways to stay safe during extreme heat if you have a type of heart disease are to stay in air-conditioned spaces, drink plenty of fluids, and wear loose, light colored clothing.

Not only does extreme heat have effects on the body, but extreme freezing temperatures can affect people with heart disease as well. 

During cold temperatures, especially for people with heart disease, their blood pressure can go up due to their heart pumping blood against smaller blood vessels.

Doing any extreme activity in the winter, like pushing a car stuck in snow or shoveling, could put a high demand on the heart.

“The supply of oxygen is lower and the heart is under incredible stress. And there is a statistical correlation of an increase in heart attacks, cardiac arrest, which is when the heart just stops working,” Miller said.

The best way to prevent and treat heart disease is by staying active. 

“Being active very often involves being outside. And so it’s really good during the spring to be outside getting used to the temperature, especially as the temperature is gradually warming up,” Miller said.

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Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The ever-growing artificial intelligence industry has been gaining traction in schools.

According to Campus Technology, a study from Quizlet shows AI usage from high school and college students/teachers jumped from 66% in 2024 to 85% in 2025.

“We are kind of with AI where we were when we got the first computers… we’re teaching people how to adapt to the technology,” Professor of English Dr. Kaye Adkins said. “At some point, we are going to have a breakthrough that will be like the breakthrough with the screens and graphic interfaces we have now.”

University policy at MoWest allows professors to decide if they want to use AI or ban it in their class. All use of AI must follow the academic honesty policy.

Dr. Adkins said some professors said the college will not use it at all, but she is currently in her classes.

“I ask for transparency, I ask students if they use it to tell me what they’ve used, the tool, how they used it,” Dr. Adkins said. “I asked them to give me the prompts and some results and what they thought about it.”

She said the class is using AI during the revision stage.

Dr. Adkins set up a guidelines checklist for students to out into AI and check that they have met the requirements for the assignment.

Dr. Adkins found from a UC Davis study that writing teachers originally thought to use it for brainstorming and planning. The study, attributed to an ACS Publication, said one of the concerns for AI is that it will replace critical thinking.

“I kind of compare it to learning music, you have to know the basics in order to improvise,” Dr. Adkins said. “If you’re going to evaluate whether or not something is well-written, you have to know what good writing looks like and if students don’t have experience knowing what good writing looks like and don’t understand how to evaluate that, they can’t then evaluate the output from AI.”

Sophomore at MoWest, Ja’Marea Thompson stays away from AI.

“I feel like it could just track our phone usage,” Thompson said. “If you say something in front of TikTok, now all of a sudden it’s all over your for you page. I feel like that loops in with AI, it gives an invite, an open door to all your personal things.”

Senior Sebastian Gutierrez said he uses AI for fitness goals more than anything else.

“Workout plans, nutrition, what I should eat in a day,” Gutierrez said. “If I just input calories and stuff like that, I want to hear.”

Other notes Dr. Adkins made were that AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, are not good for research, and AI is generally not good at writing.

She said she has “a good ear” and can tell when AI wrote a prompt.

“My emphasis in teaching is teaching clear, accurate, readable prose,” She said. “That’s not what AI produces most of the time.”

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Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — For more than 230 years, The Old Farmer’s Almanac has been a trusted source for planning weather-dependent activities such as farming, gardening and even travel.

But how accurate is it really?

Since its founding in 1792, The Old Farmer’s Almanac has aimed to help farmers prepare for soil conditions, planting and harvesting.

The publication claims a high level of accuracy on its website, but meteorological studies tell a different story.

John Walsh, a University of Illinois professor, tested the almanac’s long-range predictions over a five-year period by comparing forecasted monthly temperatures and precipitation with actual data. He found that The Old Farmer’s Almanac was only 50.7% accurate on monthly temperatures and 51.9% accurate on precipitation forecasts. Which is about the same success rate as flipping a coin.

When comparing the predicted forecast for this summer in St. Joseph, residents can get an idea of how accurate the Almanac is.

Both the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Farmer’s Almanac use meteorological seasons for consistency. Meteorological summer runs from June 1 to Aug. 31.

From June 1 through Aug 26, the St. Joseph region has received 13.82 inches of rain, which is greater than the typical average of 12.47 inches which is over a 10% increase in precipitation. During the summer, Missouri also saw relief from drought conditions.

Despite the Almanac’s prediction of a hot and dry summer with near-record-breaking temperatures, actual data tells a different story.

While the region did experience several days with high heat index values in the triple digits, average daily temperatures were below or near normal. No record-breaking heat days were observed.

Because of the unpredictability of global climate patterns, forecasting weather months or years in advance is extremely difficult.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac often publishes broad and non-specific forecasts, which leave little room for being proven wrong but also little value for practical planning.

Looking ahead, the Storm Tracker Weather Team has been monitoring below-average temperatures as we approach the start of meteorological fall on Sept. 1.

The Almanac predicts a warm and dry fall, followed by a mild and dry winter. However, given the almanac’s low accuracy and vague forecasts, it’s best to take those predictions with a grain of salt.

As we transition into a new season, your Storm Tracker Weather Team will continue to provide you with accurate and up-to-date forecasts, keeping you informed and weather-ready.

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