Category: knpn-local-news

Cameron Montemayor

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s time for one of the strongest meteor showers of the year.

The Geminids peak this weekend and are visible through mid-December, according to the American Meteor Society. The meteors tend to be yellow in color and can be seen across the globe, but the best viewing happens in the Northern Hemisphere.

Skygazers could see up to 120 meteors per hour under dark skies during the peak Saturday night into Sunday’s predawn hours, according to NASA.

Meteor showers appear when fast-moving space rocks hit Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, leaving behind fiery tails — the end of a “shooting star.” Stray meteors are visible from Earth on any given night, but more prominent showers happen annually when the planet passes through crowded streams of cosmic debris.

How exciting a shower will look from Earth depends on many factors including the amount of debris and the brightness of the moon, which can overshadow the meteors’ glow. The Geminids have a good window for peak viewing before the moon crashes the party after midnight.

To enjoy the Geminid show, bundle up and venture away from city lights, which can drown out fireballs. The meteor shower will appear over the whole sky, so look to the darkest part or search for the Gemini constellation for which the shower is named.

Lie in a sleeping bag or lean back in a lawn chair and wait 15 to 20 minutes for your eyes to get used to the darkness. That’s when the meteors will appear as tiny glows streaking across the sky.

“The other stars are going to be all stationary, so you’ll see this moving across the sky and it’ll leave a little tail behind it,” said Bethany Cobb Kung, an astronomer with George Washington University.

Stay outside and take in the show for as long as the weather allows. Avoid bright lights from cellphones, which can make it harder for your eyes to adjust to nighttime darkness.

Most meteor showers come from the leftovers of comets, but the Geminids originate from the sun-orbiting asteroid 3200 Phaethon.

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Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 305,000 signatures on a petition to put a new congressional map to a vote were being scanned and counted by the secretary of state’s Elections Division on Tuesday after months of collection by People Not Politicians.

If approved, the signatures would put Missouri’s new congressional map on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval. The new map was initially signed into law by Gov. Mike Kehoe in September. The maps are typically redrawn every decade after the census, but the White House has pushed for Republicans in several states to redraw maps now to give them an electoral advantage.

The map splits Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Fifth District in Kansas City into three. This will merge it with more rural and Republican areas, likely removing Cleaver’s seat and giving the Republican Party a boost in the next election.

The signature submission comes as a federal judge on Monday dismissed the Missouri attorney general’s lawsuit against People Not Politicians and other groups who claimed the referendum is unconstitutional and infringes on lawmakers’ constitutional right to draw the congressional map.

The judge ruled that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins can reject the referendum during post-submission review.

Until Hoskins certifies the signatures as sufficient or insufficient, the new district map remains frozen. The Secretary of State’s Office declined to comment on litigation.

This is an ongoing story.

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Cameron Montemayor

TANEY COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A Missouri man wanted on multiple child sex crimes has been captured after more than two years on the run.

The Bates County Sheriff’s Office announced that Steven Andrew Bowman was arrested in Taney County, Missouri, on Monday, following a yearslong search involving multiple state and federal agencies.

Bowman was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on multiple felony charges in Missouri, including sexual assault — sodomy, seven counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of statutory rape, according to a previous release from the agency and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Bowman’s criminal charges were issued by several law enforcement departments, including Bates County, Henry County, St. Clair County and the Clinton Police Department. All warrants were for sexual crimes against minors and society.

“Mr. Bowman thought he could change his looks and remain on the run for ever. But today, serving Justice will begin in multiple counties. This manhunt spanned from Missouri to Las Vegas,” a Facebook post from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office stated.

A photo provided by the Bates County Sheriff’s Office shows Bowman was almost unrecognizable compared to a previous booking photo, a change authorities had suspected.

“The suspect on the run for more than two years is in custody thanks to the team work of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Taskforce, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Detectives from Clinton PD, Bates County Sheriff’s Office, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and Henry County Sheriff’s Office,” a post from the department read.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The American Water Charitable Foundation announced it had awarded a $4,500 State Strategic Impact grant to Second Harvest Community Food Bank.

The American Water Charitable Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water.

“Missouri American Water is proud to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation to provide funding for community organizations meeting critical needs in the communities we serve,” said Rich Svindland, president of Missouri American Water.

Second Harvest Community Food Bank serves food-insecure individuals, families and seniors in St. Joseph and across 18 counties in Northwest Missouri.

“Missouri American Water’s really great partners for us. They’re here volunteering and always asking what we need and how they can support us and help us. This is just another great example of that,” said Chad Higdon, Second Harvest’s CEO. “They’re really committed to giving back throughout the region, and we serve a lot of the communities that they serve…So we’re very grateful for their partnership and all they do to support us.”

John Hontz, Missouri American Water’s senior manager, said the grant donation was a great opportunity to give back.

“Well, Second Harvest…we’ve partnered with them before in the past,” said Hontz. “Missouri American Charitable Foundation had some extra money this year, and um, I found out about it. So I said, “Hey, Second Harvest is always needing it.’ With uh…you know, the government was shut down…snap benefits being reduced a little bit…”

The State Strategic Impact grant is part of the 2025 “Keeping Communities Flowing Grant Program,” which focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. State strategic impact grants support high-impact projects and initiatives throughout American Water’s national footprint.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to support organizations that align with Missouri American Water’s commitment to meeting the critical needs of residents in St. Joseph and the broader community,” said Carrie Williams, the president of the American Water Charitable Foundation.

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Leah Rainwater

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — The Platte County Commission said it will consider orders, which would bring changes to its Senior Property Tax Relief Program.

According to a news release from Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker, the orders will accomplish the following:

Increases in Bonded Indebtedness will be included in the program

All property taxes paid on increased bonded indebtedness in 2025 by seniors approved for the program will be credited back to those taxpayers in future years

Annual renewals for the program will no longer be required, beginning in 2026

The Platte County Commission will hold a session at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, at the Platte County Administrative Building, located at 415 S. Third St. in Platte City.

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education discussed salaries, boundaries and transfers at its Monday night work session.

One big topic on the agenda is salary schedule revisions. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Missouri’s minimum wage will rise to $15 an hour. 

Even though public employers weren’t required to follow minimum wage increases under Prop A before, they’ll now have to meet the new $15-an-hour requirement.  

Another major item discussed was student transfers within the district. The board will be reviewing attendance boundaries, which means students will be expected to attend the school assigned to the area where they live unless they qualify for an exception.  

“We reviewed policy JCB, which is about student transfers, with the facilities reorganization decision that was made last month. We want to make sure our families are aware of that policy in regards to student transfers,” Superintendent Ashly McGinnis said.  

The district has finalized new boundaries, which families can now look up on the district’s website.  

McGinnis said parents can enter their home address online to see where their child is assigned to attend next school year.  

“We are hoping to send out communication to families, hopefully by Christmas break, if not, definitely no later than January, so all families are clear on where students will be going to school next year,” McGinnis said.  

She stressed the importance of families going through the transfer request process if they believe they need an exception, especially now that the boundaries have been redrawn.  

“So some exceptions may take place if a student, for example, has an IEP, an individual-individualized education plan and they have special programming, we offer that in some of our buildings,” McGinnis said.  

Once communication goes out to families, the district will begin forming a committee to review transfer request forms and finalize placements for the 2026-2027 year. 

The next meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, at the Troester Media Center.  

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph City Council approved the implementation of drones and a salary increase for the St. Joseph Police Department during its Monday meeting.

The city will enter a five-year price agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. for the purchase of two Skydio docking “nest” systems and a total of six Skydio drones. The drones will assist law enforcement and emergency services in addressing situations before responders arrive on scene

St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster said the drones will not only help with officer safety but community safety as well.

“This is going to allow us a rapid response to many incidents where we’re going to have the drone there, and that’s the ability to kick back a video feed to not only police officers, but firefighters as well,” Luster said. “Go to calls there quickly. So I think it just has a broad application for the community and to enhance the safety of our community.”

The council approved a 6% salary increase for the SJPD. The salary increase will improve recruitment efforts in law enforcement.

Brendan McGinnis, Fraternal Order of Police Northwest Lodge three president, said the salary increase helps the department remain competitive.

“In 2022, when the public passed that tax, we were down 31 officers, and we’ve cut that by almost two-thirds,” McGinnis said. “So we’re heading in the right direction, and this just keeps us going in the right direction.”

The council approved the purchase of two new vehicles for animal services. The first vehicle will be a 2026 Ford Transit cargo van from Anderson Ford of St. Joseph.

The vehicle will replace the 2007 Dodge Caravan. This vehicle will be used by Animal Services for supplies and occasionally for animal transportation. This purchase will be funded with $53,510.56 in marijuana tax funds.

The second vehicle, a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton truck from Nashville Automotive LLC. This vehicle will replace the 2016 F-250.

The vehicle will be used for animal control field operations in the city limits with out-of-town travel. This purchase will be funded with $49,100.00 in marijuana tax funds.

The next city council meeting will take place on Jan. 5.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Parents can now view which public school their child has been assigned to next year as part of updated boundaries for the St. Joseph School District.

The St. Joseph School District Board of Education announced at Monday’s public work session that new boundaries have been finalized in wake of the district’s 4BR reorganization plan approved Nov. 24.

Parents and families can view boundaries and see what school their child is assigned to by going to the district’s website and entering a home address to verify.

The district intends to send out additional information about the student transfer application process around the holiday break.

“We plan on sending out communication to our families or are hoping by the holiday break, but no later than January,” Superintendent Dr. Ashly McGinnis said. “This is so that all of our families are clear on where (their) students will be going to school next year. We want to ensure we have the capacity in all of our buildings to adequately serve all of our students.”

Regarding transfers, there are exceptions for students with learning disabilities or those in situations involving foster care or homelessness.

If a parent believes a student should be attending a different school than what they’re currently assigned to, they can fill out and submit a transfer request form for review.

“They will go through the transfer request process and submit the form for consideration to a committee we are establishing to review all of the transfer requests,” McGinnis said. “The committee will thoroughly review those requests and make sure it’s a fair practice.”

Once further announcements have been made, a deadline will be set for when transfer applications need to be submitted.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri could join a number of states adding new regulations to pharmacy benefit managers who play a central role in setting patient prescription prices.

Dual legislation introduced in both the Missouri House and Senate by Sen. Jill Carter (R-32) and Rep. John Hewkin (R-120) would modify definitions and regulations to address transparency and pricing disparities tied to pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs.

Pharmacy benefit managers are a third-party administrator or company that acts as an intermediary between drug manufacturers, pharmacies, and insurance plans, negotiating prices, managing prescription drug benefits, processing claims and creating drug formularies to control drug spending and negotiate discounts and rebates.

In recent years though concerns have grown about a lack of transparency and anticompetitive practices that have led to restricted choices for patients and higher costs for certain prescriptions. Supporters of reform also say the current PBM system leads to financial strain for local pharmacies as well as employers who utilize certain health insurance plans.

In September 2024, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against three of the largest prescription drug benefit managers: Caremark Rx, Express Scripts and OptumRx and their affiliated group purchasing organizations (GPOs) for engaging in anticompetitive and unfair rebating practices they claim artificially inflated the list price of insulin drugs.

“These bills deliver long-overdue transparency and basic accountability in the prescription drug system so families, pharmacists, and employers stop paying more than they should while patients get the care they need,” Sen. Carter said in a press release.

SB 984 and HB 1850 modify the definition of “covered person” and “pharmacy benefits manager rebate aggregator”, “pharmacy claims data”, and “rebate” for the purposes of regulating costs charged to patients.

The act also adds several provisions relating to contracts between PBMs and pharmacies, including providing plan sponsors with pharmacy claims data, submitting documentation of any benefit design that encourages or requires the use of affiliated pharmacies.

“When PBMs control pricing and steer patients to pharmacies that the PBM owns, the fallout hits everyone — patients lose access, employers face higher costs and entire communities are put at risk,” Rep. Hewkin said in a release.

The move by Missouri comes after more than 20 states introduced legislation during the 2024 session to regulate pharmacy benefit managers.

The act would also establish a critical access care pharmacy program to ensure the sustainability of critical access care pharmacies in the state. The program would be provided through the the Department of Health and Senior Services.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Local law enforcement confirmed one person has died as a result of a house fire early Friday morning.

The St. Joseph Fire Department said it responded to a house fire at about 3 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, around Industrial Road and Jamesport Street.

One person was transported to the hospital with serious injuries; however, the St. Joseph Police Department confirmed the person later died Friday afternoon from those injuries.

SJFD said two firefighters were injured while working to put out the fire, but were later treated and released from the hospital.

SJFD also said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

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