Category: knpn-local-news

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — This Fourth of July, the sky might still light up, but fireworks retailers say dark clouds are forming over the industry.

With new import tariffs and rising global costs driving up expenses, local sellers warn, the tradition of backyard fireworks displays may become more expensive or even unsustainable in the years ahead.

At Schneitter Fireworks in St. Joseph, Guy Johnson and his son, Sawyer, browsed the aisles alongside dozens of other customers, preparing for the holiday festivities.

“We like the camaraderie and spending time with friends and family to celebrate what the Fourth means, which is independence for our country,†Guy Johnson said.

“It’s a fun tradition and something my family and I have always celebrated,” Sawyer added.

But industry leaders say this year’s celebrations come with growing concern. With roughly 95% of fireworks sold in the U.S. imported from China, the industry is bracing for the impact of a 30% tariff recently imposed on Chinese goods, which includes fireworks.

Retailers Feel Early Warning Signs

“Luckily, here at Schneitter’s, we didn’t get hit with the full increase,” said Stacy Blake, co-owner of Schneitter Fireworks and president of the National Fireworks Association. “We’re continuing to receive shipments, but we’re watching things closely. It’s the 2026 season we’re worried about.”

Some retailers ordered inventory before the tariff increase, easing the immediate impact. But even those early orders haven’t shielded all sellers, as many are already seeing signs of inflation creeping in.

“It’s nothing like 30%, but we are seeing a little bit of a rise,” said PJ Kovac, owner of PJ’s Fireworks. “We didn’t adjust shelf prices. We just absorbed the difference.”

At the time orders were placed by Firework stand owners, tariffs were estimated at around 5%. That changed quickly this spring when the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative increased rates on several Chinese imports, including fireworks.

“It’s been fluid,” Blake said. “They’ve gone up and come down. Right now, we’re in a 90-day pause, but tariffs are sitting at 30%, plus duty.”

Concerns Mount Ahead of Major National Celebration

The U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, is expected to bring major public displays across the country. Retailers worry increased costs could dampen consumer participation if prices spike further.

“People are buying fireworks year-round; for weddings, gender reveals, all kinds of events,” Blake said. “We want to keep our pricing accessible for the community.”

Some consumers said they’re not overly concerned yet, but acknowledge price could influence future purchases.

“We spent a couple of hundred bucks on fireworks today,” said Guy Johnson. “If prices went way up, we might buy a little less, but we’d still celebrate.”

Kovac said demand hasn’t slowed, with customers still buying in bulk, including some from out of state.

“I don’t know if prices will go back down. It’s anybody’s guess,” he said. “But people value fireworks. They’re part of what makes these celebrations special.”

Industry Pushes Back in Washington

With few alternatives to Chinese manufacturing, industry leaders are turning to advocacy.

“We’re exploring every option we can, but right now, it’s not looking great,” Blake said.

Since February, the National Fireworks Association has met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., urging them to reconsider the tariffs.

“I went out to D.C. at the beginning of this year,” Blake said. “We’ve done meetings, phone calls, letters, everything. We’re asking the public to take action too. Contact local officials and tell them how tariffs are affecting your business, your employees, and your community.”

The NFA has launched a campaign urging consumers and retailers to get involved, with resources available on its website.

Emphasis on Safety Ahead of Holiday

Despite economic concerns, fireworks retailers and officials are reminding the public to prioritize safety during the holiday.

“Use them outdoors in an open area, wear eye protection, and have water nearby,” Blake said. “Put used sparklers in a bucket of sand so no one steps on a hot stick. We want this to be a fun, safe tradition for generations.”

In St. Joseph, local ordinances prohibit the use of fireworks that explode or project into the air within city limits. Officials urge residents to review municipal codes and use common sense when celebrating.

“Don’t put your head over fireworks while lighting them,” Kovac said. “Keep a safe distance from others, and make sure you’re on level ground.”

Looking Ahead

As the Fourth of July approaches, industry leaders remain hopeful but cautious.

“We’ve weathered changes before,” Blake said. “But if these tariffs stay in place long-term, it’s going to affect the entire fireworks experience in America. We’re doing everything we can to make sure it doesn’t.”

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Persisterhood will sponsor a “Let Freedom Ring: No Kings II” rally from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, on the public sidewalks at the corner of the Belt Highway and Frederick Avenue.

Dr. Jane Frick, co-facilitator for St. Joseph Persisterhood, said the peaceful protest aims to demand “that everyone in this country be treated with respect and justice under the law.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring American flags and signs. Participants should also bring water, wear sunscreen, hats and sunglasses for protection from the heat.

More information about the rally can be found through the Persisterhood’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PersisterhoodSJ.

This will be the fourth protest rally the Persisterhood has sponsored in 2025, including the No Kings Rally on June 14, where over 600 people gathered to protest President Trump’s administration.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A few local organizations and businesses are teaming up to benefit the St. Joseph Animal Shelter through a Dice Run along St. Joseph’s parkway system.

Northwest Missouri Street Rods, in partnership with St. Joe Harley-Davidson and Reed Auto Plaza is welcoming anyone in the community with show cars, motorcycles and even daily drivers, to participate in the Dice Run.

Drivers will line up at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 29 at Bishop LeBlond High School, where they can make a $15 cash donation to get a scorecard and more information on where stops will be.

Stops will be at:

Eugene Field School, along NE Parkway, where the dog park is.

11th and Grand Ave near Corby Pond.

Bode Middle School

Bartlett Park (rest)

Bode Ice Arena

King Hill Avenue

Mansfield Road

Reed Auto Plaza

At each stop, participants will roll a die to record a number on their scorecard.

The Dice Run will go until 4:30 p.m.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)– The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art welcomed guests Tuesday evening for a lively night of creativity, community, and collectibles during its Free Museum After Hours.

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., visitors of all ages explored the museum’s galleries while designing custom trading cards, exchanging them with others, and enjoying a laid-back environment. Visitors were able to meet with local artists and discuss techniques and artwork together.

A woman works on a stack of her trading cards to hand out to others.

The event is part of the museum’s ongoing After Hours series, held every fourth Tuesday of the month, offering the public free admission and interactive art activities. No reservations are required, and each month features a new creative theme.

Madison McKinley, marketing and communications manager at the museum, said,  “It’s a fun thing to do with local artists and creatives in the community. Make these tiny cards and you swap and trade with each other and create these awesome collections of miniature local art.â€Â Â 

A full collection of artist trading cards.

All supplies were provided by the museum, making it easy for both beginners and seasoned artists to participate. 

McKinley said, “We wanted to have a way for people that couldn’t make it during our regular hours. A lot of people work or they have kids, things going on… We wanted to give an opportunity to the community to come out and see the museum.â€

People observe the gallery’s colorful art.

Rachelle Gardner-Roe, one of the museum’s current exhibiting artists, was on hand during the event, taking time to connect with guests, share insights about her work, and encourage young artists to express themselves creatively.

She said,  “I love that the museum provides this opportunity to have free admission and have fun activities. I love the fact that it’s kid-friendly. I love to see children engage with my art. Earlier, there was a parent reading some of my poetry to her child, and I just absolutely loved that.â€

A graphic highlighting the museum’s After Hours events, every 4th Tuesday of the month. Free to the public from 4-7pm.

The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art is located at 2818 Frederick Avenue in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The next After Hours event theme will be the 1920s style architecture of Saint Joseph. For more information on future After Hours events, visit albrecht-kemper.org or call (816) 233-7003.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Among the topics discussed at the University of Missouri’s Board of Curators meeting, different aspects regarding the new UMKC School of Dentistry and School of Medicine buildings were shared.

Curators unanimously approved the UMKC School of Dentistry project to move forward.

The university building was previously announced with a target date set for FY 2026.

While this is still the plan, the University is awaiting additional funds for capital renovations from the state and federal government, as well as philanthropic entities.

“A lot of people in the community have embraced our students,” UMKC chancellor and president Mauli Agrawal said. “Some of us (are) doing the same here. I’m hearing people (receiving) take it home thanksgiving dinners. The community itself has wrapped its arms around this program. That’s made everything (easier) from financing to the students feeling at home here.”

As for the School of Medicine, a ribbon cutting for the new building will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the building’s site on Faraon Street, across from Mosaic Life Care’s Campus.

One overall message that was echoed by all the board members in anticipation of the new school buildings’ arrival is that they can serve as a template for all the schools around Northwest Missouri.

“We’re not only a university for people who live in Columbia, Missouri, or the University of Missouri,” University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves said. “And we’re bringing many programs and opportunities for people across the state. No one’s benefited more than Northwest Missouri, but certainly other areas have benefited a great deal as well.” 

The School of Dentistry’s expansion into St. Joseph is set to positively impact the dentist and dental hygiene practitioner shortages in rural Missouri communities.

Currently, the UMKC School of Dentistry is Missouri’s only public dental school and provides 63% of the state’s dentists, according to a UMKC press release.

The School of Medicine is looking to continue to grow, with plans to expand its program by enrolling 20 students per year into the four-year program.

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Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Across the United States, some people are struggling to beat the record-breaking heat waves, but in St. Joseph, Westlake Ace Hardware has donated dozens of box fans to the Salvation Army to ensure residents stay cool this summer.

“We are so blessed, we thank the community,” Social Services Director for the Salvation Army, Emily Bravo, said. “This is going to give a lot of our community members the opportunity to stay safe and cool this summer.”

While St. Joseph is still in the early summer months, average temperatures are settling in the upper-80s, leaving those without access to air conditioning to face dangerous heat.

Westlake Ace Hardware has worked with the Salvation Army since 2012 to provide box fans to low-income families, seniors and others in need.

“Ace Hardware, in general, has raised over $1 million annually for this drive,” General Manager of Westlake Ace Hardware, Mark Sidwell, said. “It kind of goes along with our core values of, you know, helping the community and doing what we can when we can to help anything in need, and right now it’s the heat.”

Westlake Ace, its employees and customers worked together to raise $1,020 in a recent register round-up campaign, raising enough money to purchase 62 box fans, which were donated to the Salvation Army and will be distributed to individuals and families in need throughout the area.

“We appreciate each one of them,” Bravo said. “Even if it was a few cents rounded up, every penny matters.”

Sidwell said the community has been just as enthusiastic about giving back as Westlake Ace and the Salvation Army are.

“We get a lot of good comments from the customers coming in and, you know, with the heat and everything, it makes them feel good to be able to help the community out where needed,” he said.

While the box fan drive is over for the season, community members can still help the Salvation Army provide for those in need by calling the non-profit at 816-232-5824 or visiting their St. Joseph location at 602 Messanie St.

Due to the extreme heat, the organization is currently asking for donations of sunscreen and bottled water.

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Kirsten Stokes

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Key lawmakers representing Northwest Missouri gathered early Thursday morning for the Chamber of Commerce’s Public Affairs Coffee to brief local leaders and residents on the 2025 Missouri legislative session.  

Among those in attendance were State Representatives Bill Falkner, R-District 10, Brenda Shields, R-District 11, Dean Van Schoiack, R-District 9 and Sean Pouche, R-District 13, along with State Senator and Senate Majority Floor Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville

One of the session’s major measures, House Bill 199, drew detailed commentary.

Originally, just four pages focused on Chapter 100 bonds, the bill evolved after Rep. Shields encouraged it to be sent to the committee.

After multiple revisions, including additions supported in Kansas City and St. Louis and a nuisance amendment by a Senate colleague, the bill aims to support smaller counties’ economic development efforts. 

Senator Luetkemeyer, who served as Majority Floor Leader, reflected on his role in building cooperation in a notoriously divided chamber.

“It was important to build member relationships within the Senate,” Sen. Luetkemeyer said.  

Rep. Shields also spoke about school safety legislation, including measures requiring emergency operation plans, anti-intruder door locks and the Stop the Bleed Act. Senate Bill 68, she added, focuses on behavioral and homicidal risk assessments in schools to improve prevention. 

“It’s really important for our students to feel safe in the classroom. All of our schools have to develop safety plans for their school to be able to know what’s going to happen in an emergency,” Rep. Shields said.

Rep. Shields added that schools should be equipped with CPR training and behavioral risk assessments to identify students who may be experiencing homicidal thoughts or other serious mental health challenges. While such information should remain confidential, it must be accessible to trusted adults or counselors responsible for the student’s safety and well-being.

Rep. Pouche addressed infrastructure and asked whether former Gov. Parson’s vision of expanding Interstate 70 might still be realized in the future and Rep. Van Schoiack raised the importance of investing in electric power infrastructure, including the long-term possibility of new nuclear plants in Missouri. 

When asked what Missourians should be paying more attention to, each lawmaker gave a unique perspective: 

Sen. Luetkemeyer: Underfunded rural roads 

Rep. Faulkner: Local governments needing more direct funding 

Rep. Shields: The impact of state decisions on local tourism 

Rep. Pouche: Encouraging young people to vote locally and limiting state interference in local governance.

Rep. Van Schoiack: Property tax reform and day-to-day challenges to property rights 

To learn more about Missouri legislators and their initiatives, visit house.mo.gov

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — According to St. Joseph City Manager Mike Schumacher, the city is currently investigating a network security issue.

Schumacher said city residents can continue to pay service bills as normal. He also said there has been no interruption to emergency service lines because of this issue.

Schumacher also said there is no threat to city residents.

News-Press NOW will provide updates when they become available.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Country Club played host Thursday to some of the state’s top leaders and policymakers in higher education, with future funding and key projects taking center stage.

The University of Missouri System Board of Curators addressed a wide variety of subjects affecting the state of Missouri and the country as a whole. The board unanimously approved a $5.3 billion budget for 2026, an 8% increase from the $4.9 billion budgeted for FY 2025.

The system consists of four campuses: Columbia (MU), St. Louis (UMSL), Rolla (Missouri S&T) and Kansas City (UMKC), along with an extension program and ten research and technology parks.

With $539 million in appropriations from the state of Missouri for 2026, the budget represents a 3% jump in state core funding for all four universities, including an additional $10 million for rural medical education. 

“This is the sixth straight year of increasing our state appropriation,” University of Missouri President Mun Y. Choi said. “Missouri has made a commitment, beginning about six years ago, to improve the funding for the University of Missouri and other public universities because of the importance of our role as an economic engine.”

This budget increase comes despite a reduction of roughly $7 to $8 million in federal grant revenue for the system and amid critical questions about long-term support from the federal government in anticipation of spending cuts and reduced funding for higher education. 

Choi pointed to schools like the University of Utah, Minnesota and Maryland as all having seen state appropriations cut by 7% to 10% this year.

“There are many states that are not doing well in terms of their support for public higher education,” Choi said. “We don’t like to cut programs because we believe everything that we do is important, but it’s really time for us to prioritize.”

Choi said despite not wanting cuts, this meant asking central administrators, deans and department chairs across the system to prioritize projects based on the impact on student success, research breakthroughs and state engagement, three of their core missions.  

“Just that pursuit, we’ve had a $40 million reduction in expenses…We did that in a very short time frame,” he said.

The consent agenda approved by Curators also moved a key project forward for Northwest Missouri. Board members unanimously approved a $16 million appropriation request for a new UMKC Dentistry program in St. Joseph for fiscal year 2027.

Approval of the 2026 operating budget was far from the only key move made Thursday; board members approved a project request for a $120 million Energy Innovation Center for MU, an energy production research facility that will combine engineering, physics, computer science, chemistry and biochemistry.

“The Energy Innovation Center is targeted primarily at enhancing the research capabilities of our university,” Board Chairman Todd Graves said. “We’d like to create additional jobs and economic opportunity. And certainly, energy will be a challenge for the next many years in this country. So that’s what we’re focused on.”

Choi agreed, saying advancements in energy production will have wide-ranging benefits that go far beyond the university.

“Not only are the energy innovations going to be very important at the university, but useful and practical policies that involve our energy use in this state,” Choi said.

Unanimous approval of the consent agenda also cleared the way for a new transfer policy change throughout the UM System.

The change allows students from any state to transfer from an accredited community college to a university if they meet requirements, which include: 60 transferable credit hours, an Associate of Arts degree and a minimum 2.5 GPA. 

Choi called it a “proactive” move, allowing the UM System to open doors to new markets and help plan for the future, one that could include fewer students enrolling in higher education.

“We decided, ‘let’s make it nationwide’ because of the types of programs that we are offering,” Choi said. “Missouri right now is a place where we have to seek students from beyond our own borders because of the peak of high school graduates you’re going to see in the coming years.”

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Associated Press

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST – Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court allowed states to cut off Medicaid money to Planned Parenthood in a ruling handed down Thursday amid a wider Republican-backed push to defund the country’s biggest abortion provider.

The case centers on funding for other health care services Planned Parenthood provides in South Carolina, but the ruling could have broader implications for Medicaid patients.

The court split 6-3 in the opinion, with the three liberal justices dissenting.

Public health care money generally can’t be used to pay for abortions. Medicaid patients go to Planned Parenthood for things like contraception, cancer screenings and pregnancy testing, in part because it can be tough to find a doctor who takes the publicly funded insurance, the organization has said.

South Carolina’s Republican governor says no taxpayer money should go the organization. The budget bill backed by President Donald Trump in Congress would also cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. That could force the closure of about 200 centers, most of them in states where abortion is legal, the organization has said.

Gov. Henry McMaster first moved to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood in 2018 but was blocked in court after a lawsuit from a patient named Julie Edwards. Edwards wanted to keep going there for birth control because her diabetes makes pregnancy potentially dangerous, so she sued over a provision in Medicaid law that allows patients to choose their own qualified provider.

South Carolina, though, argued that patients shouldn’t be able to file those lawsuits. The state pointed to lower courts that have been swayed by similar arguments and allowed states such as Texas to block Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood.

Public health groups like the American Cancer Society, by contrast, said in court papers that lawsuits are the only real way that Medicaid patients have been able to enforce their right to choose their own doctor. Losing that right would reduce access to health care for people on the program, which is estimated to include one-quarter of everyone in the country. Rural areas could be especially affected, advocates said in court papers.

In South Carolina, $90,000 in Medicaid funding goes to Planned Parenthood every year, a tiny fraction of the state’s total Medicaid spending. The state banned abortion at about six weeks’ gestation after the high court overturned it as a nationwide right in 2022.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.

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