Category: knpn-local-news

Kirsten Stokes

ST. JOSEPH, MO (News-Press NOW) — As the days of summer are ticking away, parents are preparing for a long-awaited weekend to save some money on back-to-school necessities.

The tax-free weekend begins on Friday, Aug. 1, and ends on Sunday, Aug. 3. Missouri’s tax-free weekend allows residents and non-residents to save on back-to-school items.

Items such as clothing, school supplies and computers are exempt from both state and local sales taxes.

Shopper, Hailey Hare said she’ll be back in stores the first weekend in August, after already taking her younger sister on her own shopping spree.

“For sure,” Hare said. “100%, which I’m also in college, so that’s when I’m going to do my shopping, but this weekend is definitely for her.”

While the tax-free weekend is an opportunity to save on essentials, it’s important to ensure that each item’s pre-tax total stays under the specified cap, including any required shipping.

The sales exemption is limited to: 

Clothing – any article having a taxable value of $100 or less 

School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase 

Computer software – taxable value of $350 or less 

If you are shopping online, internet purchases must be fully paid for during the weekend.  

To learn more about sales exemptions and Missouri’s tax-free weekend, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue’s website.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Public Library is offering local teens a chance to get volunteer hours and to get involved with the community through its Teen Advisory Board.

The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is open to students in sixth through 12th grade. Teens on the board get to suggest new books, movies, graphic novels and more.

TAB members can also help plan events and programs to enjoy themselves along with their friends.

Participants are expected to show up to all meetings and be active, as well as attend planned events. If a member is unable to participate or attend an event, they are encouraged to contact a TAB coordinator.

The first meeting will be held from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Downtown Library, located at 927 Felix St.

Applications are available at the Downtown and East Hills branches or online at sjpl.lib.mo.us/teen-advisory-board.

Applications are due by Sunday, Aug. 10. Filling out an application does not guarantee acceptance to the TAB; however, applications will be kept on file for a year.

For questions about the TAB, contact Evelyn Holtzclaw by phone at (816) 232-7729 or by email at eholtzclaw@sjpl.lib.mo.us.

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Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, MO (News-Press NOW) — Tick season has been in full force for the past few weeks, and experts warn that the risk will remain high through the summer.

In Northwest Missouri, tick activity typically peaks from April through September, coinciding with the height of outdoor recreation.

With more people hiking, camping, and enjoying nature, the chances of encountering a tick rise significantly.

Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites that belong to the same family as spiders and mites. While tiny, they can carry serious illnesses such as Lyme disease.

There are three common types of ticks in Missouri:

The lone star tick is the most aggressive and can be identified by the white dot on the back of adult females.

The American dog tick is larger and brown with white or gray markings.

The deer tick, also known as the Blacklegged tick, is smaller and darker, with female ticks sometimes showing a reddish-orange shield on their back.

Ticks are most commonly found in wooded areas, tall grass and brushy fields. Contrary to popular belief, ticks don’t jump or fly. Instead, they perch on the edges of grass and leaves, waiting to latch onto a passing animal or person.

Once attached, they crawl to a warm, moist area of the body and begin feeding.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recommends wearing long sleeves, pants tucked into socks, and using insect repellent.

Once back indoors, a full-body tick check is essential. Showering within two hours can also help dislodge ticks before they attach.

“The biggest safety thing really is just a full, thorough tick check,” said Erin Woodiel, media specialist with the MDC. “Checking all your nooks, crannies, and creases is key to making sure no ticks are burrowed into your skin.”

Pet safety is also important. Woodiel recommends keeping pets on a leash and away from tall vegetation. Once back home, carefully inspect pets—especially around the ears, under the collar, and between their toes.

Even with all precautions, ticks can still attach. That’s why doing a final, careful check after outdoor activities is your best line of defense.

If you find a tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, clean the area with soap and water, and monitor for symptoms like rash, fever, or fatigue in the days that follow.

For more information on ticks and how to stay safe outdoors, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation at: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/ticks

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph Parks and Recreation is set to unveil a host of new features to a centerpiece of the city’s parkway system next month.

Officials with the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at Corby Pond on Monday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. to celebrate infrastructure upgrades nearing completion for the popular walking and fishing destination.

Upgrades include a new 20-by-40 foot pavilion for gatherings and events, an all-new restroom facility as well as new sidewalks to boost foot traffic for the park.

The new pavilion will look similar to pavilions/shelters at Bartlett Park and Patee Park and will be furnished with picnic tables, benches, trash cans and grills.

“We’re going to do something at night in conjunction with the Department of Conservation event that they were wanting to have,” Parks Director Jeff Atkins said.

Funds for pavilion construction were made possible thanks to a $202,641 Outdoor Recreation Grant awarded to the city from the Missouri Department of Conservation, which manages water quality maintenance and fish stocking for the pond.

The restroom facility was constructed using $320,000 in Capital Improvements Project funds.

Once installed, park supporters will see the pavilion located on the opposite side of the parkway as the pond, closer to North 22nd Street and by the new unisex restroom facility. The facility includes a 7-by-9-foot storage room.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local high school band is preparing to take the big stage at the annual National Night Out event at Civic Center Park in Downtown St. Joseph.

Sponsored by Target and the St. Joseph Goats, the event will feature free food, fun activities for children, including opportunities to explore and interact with various emergency vehicles and plenty more for the entire community to enjoy. 

National Night Out events across the country bring neighbors and local law enforcement together each year to build strong community ties and promote safer, more welcoming environments. 

“National Night Out is primarily a night out against crime,” said Sgt. Jeremy Peters with the St. Joseph Police Department. “Each year, the goal for me has been to try and make it bigger, better and more of a community buy-in to get more people out to our event and bring people together.” 

SJPD said they couldn’t think of a better way to energize this year’s audience than by inviting local high school students, who perform under the band name The Arsonists!, to take the stage. 

The band consists of six members: 

Solomon Goodman, vocalist 

Michael Werner, guitarist and backing vocals 

Lucy Goodman, drummer 

Izzy Luce, bassist 

Karson Wilmes, guitarist 

Ava Kay, drummer 

Guitarist Michael Werner said he’s honored to perform at the upcoming event, especially as a tribute to his father, Jeff Werner, who is a local firefighter. 

The band is especially excited for their first outdoor performance in the city of St. Joseph. 

“We’ve never been down to City Hall before,” said vocalist Solomon Goodman. “We’ve only performed at indoor venues, so this is something unique and exciting for us. Since the very beginning, my favorite part of performing has been seeing the smiles in the crowd and watching people forget their troubles for a while and just lose themselves in the music. This is something we’re really looking forward to.”

SJPD is encouraging the community to come out for a unique opportunity to engage with law enforcement and emergency personnel in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. 

The event is free and open to the public and will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Civic Center Park.

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Ryan Eslinger

ST JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Since 2010, the Kansas City Chiefs have called Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph home for their yearly training camp.

Chiefs fans from all over the world come to St. Joseph to watch their favorite team practice before the season kicks off.

For the last decade, the Chiefs have been dominant. Nine straight division titles in the AFC West, seven consecutive AFC Championship appearances and four Super Bowl appearances, with three being wins.

While Chiefs Training Camp is free to attend, it’s considered one of the most impactful events from an economic standpoint in St. Joseph. More visitors coming in means more business, which means more money to be made.

One business that’s looking forward to the camp is St. Joseph’s Rally House location. With a surplus of Chiefs gear for fans, Rally House Manager Jordan Newberry expects the store to be packed for another year of training camp.

“We get a lot of out-of-state traffic, especially from Nebraska or Iowa. So we see it pretty heavily when they’re starting to come in for camp,” Newberry said. “Then, as soon as it starts picking up like the week before, it’s insane.”

Newberry said fan favorite items are expected to be flying off the shelves, and when the time comes, the store will be prepared.

“We have been stocking up on a lot of signables, mini helmets and pictures so that the team can sign them. We have also stocked up on a lot of jerseys as well. We have an overabundance this year for sure,” Newberry said.

Newberry also said, one item is for sure to make its way into households this year.

“Mini Helmets always fly off the shelves, I don’t know what it is,” said Newberry. “Kids love them, parents love them, they collect them. That’s the one thing we try and stock up on.”

Apart from the merchandise side of Training Camp, other local businesses also see an increase in traffic and a bigger economic impact.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Natalie Hawn, said local businesses love the extra traffic.

“It’s fun for the business community to get the extra hustle and bustle of not only the fans but also the chance that they might see a player,” Hawn said.

The Director of Communications and Marketing at the St Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Christian Mengle, mentions that restaurants are impacted the most in St. Joseph.

“Particularly for the restaurants, there is probably no other industry that benefits more from the visitor industry,” Mengle said.

This year, Training Camp has only one practice a day compared to the two practices a day in previous years. Because of the cut in practices, St. Joseph is not seeing much economic impact.

“We’re not seeing as much economic impact as we could if it was a practice later in the day or if there was a second practice,” Mengle said. “It’s hard to track sometimes, the economic impact specifically of free events.”

While the economic impact has decreased over the years, it doesn’t mean visitors aren’t still coming to St. Joseph.

Last year, the Chiefs estimated that over 80,000 fans claimed tickets to attend Chiefs Training Camp, proving there’s no shortage of fans.

As far as where economic improvements lie, it’s keeping fans in St. Joseph for longer periods of time.

“Just the average general day, we still get quite a few people from Kansas City that can still make it home in time for lunch, and so they are not spending as much as they could,” Mengle said.

While the focus is primarily on football, Chiefs Training Camp goes far beyond the field, as it has become one of the biggest events that is held in St. Joseph.

However, the drive for keeping Training Camp in St. Joseph isn’t just about the economic impact. It’s about showcasing the pride of the Kansas City faithful and is a chance to feel connected to one of the NFL’s best franchises.

“It’s a great way for us to show some community pride for our hometown football team,” Hawn said. “It’s not just Kansas City’s team, it’s our team too.”

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph law enforcement is taking steps to ensure that stores like Walmart remain safe for the community following recent events. 

So far this year, Walmart Supercenters across St. Joseph have experienced two incidents involving firearms being discharged on the premises, one at the North Belt Walmart in February and, most recently, a negligent discharge at the South Belt location on Tuesday.

While Missouri is an open carry state, police say they’re working closely with Walmart security and increasing patrols to help prevent future incidents and ensure the community feels safe.

“We have officers routinely scheduled at both Walmart’s, South Belt and North Belt,” said Sgt. Richard McGregory with the St. Joseph Police Department. “This particular incident is still under investigation, so I can’t go into much detail, but it does raise questions about gun safety. Missouri is an open carry state, and you can conceal with or even without a permit but as police, we want to make sure our citizens are carrying those weapons properly in secure holsters.”

For citizens who choose to carry, SJPD is reminding the public about the importance of keeping firearms safely stored, ensuring the safety is engaged and keeping guns out of the reach of children, no matter the location. 

Local law enforcement emphasizes that Walmart is not considered a dangerous place and reassures the community that officers will continue patrolling shopping centers across the city. 

“It may seem like there’s an increased presence at Walmart now, but we’ve always had officers scheduled out there daily across different shifts,” McGregory said. “Wherever people are in public, we want them to feel safe, and that starts with maintaining a strong presence of officers out on the streets.”

The Tuesday, July 15 incident remains under investigation, but police believe it was likely accidental and not something that could have been predicted. Still, they are urging the public to practice proper gun safety at all times and to educate children about the seriousness and dangers of firearms. 

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Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday read a doctor’s letter about President Donald Trump that she said was intended to dispel health concerns about the swelling in his ankles and a makeup-covered hand.

President Donald Trump sits with his hands interlocked as he and Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa speak in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Leavitt said Trump noticed “mild swelling” in his lower legs and was evaluated by the White House medical unit.

The left foot and swollen of President Donald Trump are pictured as he sits with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

She said the tests showed “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” but that Trump has “chronic venous insufficiency,” a fairly common condition in older adults when little valves inside the veins that normally help move blood against gravity up the legs gradually lose the ability to work properly.

Leavitt said the issue is common in people older than age 70. Trump turned 79 last month.

People often are advised to lose weight, walk for exercise and elevate their legs periodically, and some may be advised to wear compression stockings. Severe cases over time can lead to complications, including lower leg sores called ulcers. Blood clots are one cause, but Leavitt said that was tested for and ruled out.

She also said bruising on Trump’s hand that has been covered up by makeup is “consistent” with irritation from his “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.”

Leavitt said, “The president remains in excellent health.”

She promised to make the doctor’s letter public.

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Ryan Eslinger

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — With Training Camp coming up, there are some Kansas City Chiefs rookie players to keep an eye on.

Round 1, No. 32 Overall – Josh Simmons, TACKLE, Ohio State (#71)

The Chiefs used their first-round pick (No. 32) on Simmons, who missed the final 10 games of his college career at Ohio State due to a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. Despite the injury, he was still an All-Big Ten Conference Honorable Mention at left tackle in 2024.

The 6’5”, 317-pound tackle is joining a depleted offensive line after the Chiefs lost Joe Thuney and D.J. Humphries to free agency.

Simmons has experience on both sides of the offensive line, as at San Diego State, he played a majority of his snaps at right tackle. He transferred to Ohio State in 2023, where he only allowed one sack and four quarterback hits in 443 pass block attempts throughout his first season with the Buckeyes.

Simmons is very smooth getting out of his stance and into space, which can help when pass rushers are on an island with him. He also has good hand placement, securing the rusher’s outside shoulder in pass blocking. 

The athletic tackle will start the season in a position battle with newly signed left tackle, Jaylon Moore, as Head Coach Andy Reid said Simmons will be a full participant in this year’s training camp.

Round 2, No. 63 Overall – Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee (#55)

The Chiefs elected to help the defensive line with their second overall pick. Norman-Lott is an undersized interior defensive lineman who excels in pass rushing with his high-pressure rate.

Norman-Lott is very scheme-dependent as he was a sub-package rusher for Tennessee in college. He spent his first three years at Arizona State University, where he only started three total games. In 2023, he transferred to Tennessee, where he only started in two games during a two-year period.

Don’t be fooled by the above stats, as throughout his college career, he logged 13.5 sacks and 12.5 TFLs when he was on the field.

According to NFL analyst Lance Zierlein, Norman-Lott was a projected third to fourth rounder in this year’s draft, but the Chiefs took a chance, selecting him in the second round.

Round 3, No. 66 Overall (Via Tennessee) – Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville (#97)

Staying with defense in the third round, Gillotte will look to help a defense that was in the bottom half of the league in total sacks last year.

For being a third-round pick, Gillotte was a menace at Louisville. In 2023, he was first-team All-ACC and ranked seventh in the FBS with 11 sacks. In 2024, he received second-team All-ACC honors while leading the team with 10 TFLs and 4.5 sacks.

Gillotte has excellent snap quickness and can collapse the pocket with power while beating the edge with his violent hands.

 With George Karlaftis being the only defensive end with good production as a pass rusher last season, Gillotte is a sneaky candidate to get a lot of playing time as a rookie.

Round 3, No. 85 Overall – Nohl Williams, CB, Cal (#20)

Three straight defensive picks for the Chiefs as they continue to bolster their young defensive back room. Williams was a lockdown corner for the Cal Golden Bears as he led the FBS with 7 INTs and tied for the team lead with 9 pass breakups (PBUs).

He earned second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC cornerback honors in his first year in the ACC.

With the Chiefs signing Kristian Fulton in free agency and already having Trent McDuffie in the secondary, Williams will most likely start the season as the third or fourth cornerback as a rookie. 

Round 4, No. 133 Overall – Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State (#11)

After three straight defensive picks, the Chiefs added to the wide receiver room to give Patrick Mahomes another weapon. 

Royals was outstanding for the Utah State Aggies. In 2023, he earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors and led the team with 1,080 receiving yards. In the same year, he ranked second in the FBS with a school-record 15 receiving touchdowns.

In 2024, he earned second-team All-Mountain West but missed a majority of the season with a foot injury.

Royals is a very technical wide receiver. He is always aware of where defenders are positioned and knows how to exploit gaps in the secondary. At 6’0”, 199 pounds, he has the ability to fight for jump balls and fight hard for contested throws. 

While he might not have the desired explosiveness, Royals will fit right into this Chiefs offense that is desperate for another weapon.

Round 5, No. 156 Overall – Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon (#31)

Bassa played all four years of his college career for the Ducks, but only became a regular starter in 2023. 

In 2023, he earned second-team All-Pac-12 Conference while recording 72 tackles, three and a half for loss, and one interception that he returned for a touchdown in 14 games started.

Bassa has great tackling technique and tracks run plays with good effort and pursuit speed, while having great pre-snap communication.

Round 7, No. 228 Overall – Brashard Smith, RB, SMU (#30)

The Chiefs’ last pick of the 2025 draft goes to the offense. 

Smith played for three years at the University of Miami before transferring in conference to Southern Methodist University (SMU) and switching positions from wide receiver to running back.

Smith earned third-team Associated Press All-American All-Purpose and first-team All-ACC in 2024. He ranked fourth in the FBS with 1,977 all-purpose yards in 10 starts. 

While being undersized at 5’10”, Smith can provide a lot of versatility for the Chiefs’ offense. He can be a great kick and punt returner, as he showcased those skills at Miami. 

With Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in the running back room already, Smith will most likely stay on special teams for the time being.

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