Category: knpn-local-news

Ashley Luthans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press) — St. Joseph Persisterhood will host a ‘May Day Strong’ march on Thursday, Thursday, May 1 in order to protest against the leadership of the U.S. government.

Between 4 and 6 p.m., community members are invited to protest along the sidewalks at the Belt Hwy and Frederick Ave intersection.

There will be nationwide ‘May Day Strong’ rallies on Thursday, May 1. More information about the rallies can be found at maydaystrong.org.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In less than a week, businesses will be required to compensate employees with paid sick time leave.

For every 30 hours worked, employees can accrue one hour of paid sick leave.

It will be an adjustment for many local businesses who haven’t had paid sick leave be a factor in the way they operate.

“If it looks like a week or two, (for someone) to get their problems in order, they need to take that time,” Seventh Street Cafe Owner Brennon Calvin said. “I absolutely want to take care of my people and let them get the rest of the help that they need to have. Obviously the budget and being able to pay bills and employees is tough as a small guy, but I’m generally for it.”

The groundwork for changing the sick leave requirements was approved by voters in the November 2024 election with the Proposition A ballot measure.

One bar manager at Felix Street Gourmet said he has a few concerns, as sick leave could change how people take time off.

“If something like that pops up, we’re pretty positive that it’s a legitimate issue,” Bar Manager, Riley Hephner said. “As far as I know, none of us are really calling out unless it’s necessary or planned in advance for something like a vacation.”

The new employee benefit will come into full effect on Thursday, May 1.

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Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — This weekend, St. Joseph has events for everyone looking for the magical and mystical in their hometown. News-Press NOW’s Kendra Simpson found the weekend’s top entertainment in this week’s edition of See St. Joseph.

St. Joseph has been quite the up-and-comer when it comes to filming. What better way to encourage that cinephile spirit than to attend the 10th annual Griffon Film Festival?

The festival will showcase Film and Communication students’ creations that they’ve worked on all semester. News segments, documentaries, digital animation and more await to entertain and inform the St. Joseph community. It will be a celebration of creativity, storytelling and cinematic artistry. The free-to-attend festival will be a two-night event from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday night at the Trail Theatre, located at 111 N. 9th. Street.

Lovers of the metaphysical and mystical are gathering at Stoney Creek Hotel this weekend for the Omnia LLC Spirit Fair.

Join in on the mystical weekend of insight and inspiration. Guests can immerse themselves in two days of wellness, spiritual discovery and transformative experiences. There’s going to be everything a metaphysical enthusiast could hope for, including vendors, practitioners, workshops, healers and readers. The Spirit Fair goes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Stoney Creek Hotel. Daily admission is $6 at the door, with kids 10 and under free.

What better way to end the weekend than with a fire show? It’s time for the return of Pyro Flow Fire and Flow Jam.

Pyro Flow is hosting their April performance to create a space for building community, making connections and, of course, showing off some crazy fire skills. Every Flow Jam is different with a variety of performers of all ages and abilities, and they’re always looking for more artists to join in on the fun. This is a family-friendly event that’s free to the community. Grab a blanket or a chair, friends and family and watch sparks fly. The show begins 8 p.m. Saturday in Civic Center Park. To learn how to join the Pyro Flow team, visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PyroFlowStJoe.

To hear about weekend entertainment and activities, tune in to News-Press NOW every Thursday for more See St. Joseph.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Saint Joseph Symphony has announced the dates for it’s 2025-2026 season.

Masterworks at the Missouri Theater

FRANKENSTEIN…It’s Live! will open the season on October 18, 2025. The Symphony will perform a new score by Michael Shapiro to the 1931 film Frankenstein, starring Boris Karloff.

The Symphony’s traditional Holiday Cheer concert returns to the theater on Dec. 20, 2025 with soprano Anna Mandina joining the orchestra for popular and classical favorites of the season.

SJS will highlight Women’s History Month with a concert titles ‘Women’s March’ on March, 28, 2026. The Symphony will perform musical compositions written by women who lived from the 18th century up to present day.

The finale will feature one of St. Joseph’s favorite “musical sons”. Internationally acclaimed classical guitarist, Anthony Glise will take the stage on April 25, 2026 to perform his concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, The Globe Room in a program entitles Tour de France.

These performances will take place in the Missouri Theater beginning at 7 p.m.

POPS goes the Chamber

The Chamber Concert Series moves from Sunday afternoons to Friday evening and takes on a new sound and venues.

On Sept. 26, 2025 at the Missouri Theater, smaller ensembles of musicians from the Saint Joseph Symphony, alongside local musicians and singers, will perform a concert titled, “Animated Adventures and Family Favorites”. The concert will be made up of musical selections from favorite animated features, play and family films. This program will also have a special free afternoon concert for children in the Catholic educational community.

To celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States’ independence, members of the Symphony will play, “Star-Spangled Chamber” on Jan. 16, 2026. Venues are still being negotiated for this concert.

On Feb. 20, 2026 various jazz selections will be played in the Symphony’s “Red, White and Blue Notes” show. Venues are still being negotiated for this concert.

In addition to ticketed concerts, the Symphony will also be presenting it’s two music education events.

On Nov. 13, 2025, students from the St. Joseph School District, other surrounding districts, as well as private and homeschool students, will; be treated to the annual Young at Art Youth Day concert and workshop in the Missouri Theater.

The Symphony will also partner with Missouri Western State University in January 2026 for Instrumental Infusion. Fifth graders from the area will have a chance to try out various musical instruments before deciding on a future musical path.

Season tickets for all seven concerts will go on sale in the coming weeks with single ticket sales beginning later in the summer.

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department is set to launch a new app designed to improve communication and keep the public informed with crime alerts and other essential services. 

The Sheriff’s department is collaborating with the Sheriff App brand to develop the key features of the app, which will include: scam alerts, press releases, weather information and educational content. 

“Our goal is to stay as engaged with our citizens as possible,†Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said. “This application will even include a way to perform inmate look up. Everybody has a phone in their hands and it makes more sense that the quicker we put out important information to our citizens, the better off our community is.â€Â 

According to Puett, the application will cost $10,000 to establish its first year and will cost $10,000 maintenance each consecutive year.  

The department is currently exploring funding options to help get the application running and it is expected to be released in a few months.  

For the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, the primary purpose of the application is to educate the public monthly about dangers circulating in the community—whether it’s a new form of opioids or emerging social media trends. 

“The educational notification pieces will also be a primary focus for us when this application rolls out,†Puett said. “Once a month we’d like to do something to update the community on cyber scams and even threatening social media trends. 

The Sheriff’s department will keep the community informed about the application’s progress and announce when it is ready for use on social media platforms and news outlets. 

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