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It is with great pleasure that Grain Valley News shares its own Good News this week. Bill Althaus, a legendary sportswriter and columnist in Eastern Jackson County for more than 40 years, has joined Grain Valley News following his recent retirement from The Examiner.
An author of 10 books, with countless awards and accolades to his credit, Althaus began his journalism career as the co-sports editor of Truman High School's paper, which won the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award of Excellence. Althaus graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1976, holding many editorial positions on the staff. Althaus was a play-by-play announcer for Bearcats football and basketball and a weekend sports anchor at KQTV-2 in St. Joseph his senior year. In 1975, Althaus spent the summer working as an intern at ABC-TV in New York, where he did research and wrote radio commentaries for Geraldo Rivera and worked on the production crew that succeeded in getting curb cuts and easy entrance into all NYC buildings for disabled individuals (ABC-TV won a national award for this series of broadcasts). From 1976-1979, Althaus served as weekend sports anchor and general assignment reporter at KQTV-2 in St. Joseph. From 1979-1982, Althaus was a columnist and sportswriter for The Kansas City Kansan, covering professional, collegiate and prep sports, before joining The Examiner in 1982. Althaus retired this month from the paper after more than 40 years as columnist and sportswriter, covering professional, collegiate, and prep sports. Althaus covered each of the Kansas City Royals postseason and World Series games, and many Kansas City Chiefs postseason games. Since 2008, Althaus has hosted The Sonic Locker Room, a weekly program that features students from 18 area high schools in the metropolitan area, covering topics ranging from the Academic Bowl and speech & debate to football and volleyball. In 2014, Althaus was the first inductee into Grain Valley High School Hall of Fame who did not teach or graduate from the school. Other awards include: 1987, 1988 Better Newspaper Contest First Place 1987, 1990 UPI Midwest Columnist of the Year 2002 Missouri Press Association Class 1 Feature Writer of the Year 2006 Simone Award/Gordon Docking Media Personality of the Year 2007 Morris Communications Journalism Excellence Award 2008 Top Sports Page is USA awarded by Associated Press Managing Editors 2008, 2009 Gatehouse Media Award of Excellence 2009 Central Hockey League Media Service Award 2009 Missouri Broadcasters Association Public Service Host honoree 2010, 2012 Missouri Press Association Class 1 Feature Writer of the Year 2011, 2012 Missouri Press Association Class 1 Columnist of the Year 2012 Missouri Press Association Class 1 Special Section honoree 2013 Missouri Press Association Class 1 Top Sports Page 2015 First inductee into Fort Osage High School Hall of Fame who did not teach or graduate from school 2015 Missouri Press Association Class I Columnist of the Year 2015 Missouri Broadcasters Association Play by Play honoree 2016 Missouri Press Association Class 1 Top Sports Page 2018 Missouri Press Association Class 1 Columnist of the Year 2020 First print media member inducted into Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Hall of Fame 2021-22 Honored by the Missouri Press Association 2023 Missouri Press Association Class 1 First Place winner for Sports Column and Sports Feature story Althaus is the author of 10 books: Priest Holmes: From Sidelines to Center Stage Dante Hall: The X-Factor For Chiefs Fans Only For Tiger Fans Only The Puck Stops Here The Kansas City Chiefs: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Grow Now From the Guys Who Were There Frank White: My Team, My Town, My Time Tony DiPardo: Life, Love, Music and Football Althaus and his wife Stacy have been married 43 years, and have two sons, Zach and Sean. "I coached each of my boys in basketball and baseball and those moments provided some of my favorite memories. Zach, Sean, and I are members of the Grain Valley High School Hall of Fame – Zach, the first all-state golfer in Grain Valley history, and Sean, a point guard on the most successful basketball team in Eagles history," Althaus said. "I want to thank The Examiner for the opportunity to be a part of so many milestone moments in Eastern Jackson County history. I am excited to join Cory and John Unrein at Grain Valley News. This is going to be an exciting chapter in my life. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? I can’t wait to soar with the Eagles," Althaus said. Althaus will begin reporting sports and feature stories with Grain Valley News next week. Welcome, Bill!
by Tara Sallee MS, RD, LD
Shedding weight is tough, even with all the stars aligned—but add in a friend’s tip or internet advice, and it’s a whole new challenge. Obesity is a growing concern in today’s world, linked to serious health risks like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. For many, the desire to lower these risks is a strong incentive to work toward a healthier weight. Still, unfortunately, this pursuit is often overshadowed by widespread weight loss myths that can mislead and hinder progress. Below, we debunk some of the most common weight loss myths and share tips to help you improve your well-being while fostering a healthy relationship with food.
If you're looking for personalized advice on nutrition trends or wondering how to kick-start your health and wellness journey in 2025, our team of Hy-Vee registered dietitians is here to help. Contact our Discovery Call Center at [email protected] or call (515) 695-3121 to schedule your complimentary Discovery Session today. Strawberry Banana Performance Inspired Smoothie Bowl Serves 2 All you need: 1 banana, peeled and frozen 1 scoop Vanilla bean Performance Inspired Performance Whey Protein 1 (5.3 oz.) Too Good Zero Sugar Madagascar Vanilla yogurt 1/2 cup sliced strawberries 2 tbsp. Hy-Vee sliced almonds 1 tsp. chia or hemp seeds Additional toppings, as desired All you do:
Source: https://www.hy-vee.com/discover/recipes/strawberry-banana-performance-inspired-smoothie-bowl The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. This content was made possible with the paid support of our sponsors: Too Good Zero Sugar Yogurt, Performance Inspired, and Fairlife Core Power. 
In a January 6th press release, Jackson County confirmed the tragic loss of Everett Carter, a member of the County's Public Works team. Carter, 61, had been a valued associate of Jackson County for 40 years, with the last eight spent serving in Public Works. Carter was fatally injured yesterday while performing snow removal operations in the unincorporated area of Blue Summit.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our entire Jackson County family,” Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said. “Everett Carter dedicated four decades of his life to serving our community with pride and professionalism. We will forever be grateful for his service and deeply miss his presence. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.” Following the accident, all county snow removal crews were pulled from operations to allow time for staff to process this tragedy and ensure their well-being. Snow plowing operations resumed today at 7:00am. Jackson County is cooperating with the Missouri State Highway Patrol as they conduct an investigation into this incident.
(StatePoint) Looking to improve your health in 2025 and beyond? Check out these recommendations from the American Medical Association:
Make nutritional tweaks: Reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Drink water and choose nutritious, whole foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats and poultry. Get active: A recent study published in JAMA found that putting down the TV remote and going for a walk can improve healthy aging—highlighting the importance of small everyday habits. Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity. Get up-to-date: Get your vaccines in advance of respiratory virus season—including the annual flu vaccine and the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months and older, as well as pregnant people. People 65 and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months later. RSV can be dangerous for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend those 75 and older, and 60 and older at high risk for severe RSV, get vaccinated. Immunizations are also available to protect babies from getting very sick from RSV. This is important because RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization nationwide. If you have questions, speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including GetMyFluShot.org. You can also reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by covering coughs and sneezes, frequently washing your hands, wearing masks, improving air quality, and staying home if you are sick. Get screened: Make an appointment for preventive care, tests and screenings to help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious. Know your blood pressure numbers: Visit ManageYourBP.org to understand your blood pressure numbers and take necessary steps to get hypertension under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. If checking your blood pressure at home, visit ValidateBP.org to see if your device has been tested for accuracy. Learn your type 2 diabetes risk: Take a 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, which carries a higher risk of heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss. Drink only in moderation: If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans—up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age. Quit tobacco and nicotine: Ask your doctor for resources and guidance for quitting tobacco and nicotine. Declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure. Follow dosage instructions: When taking prescription opioids or other medications, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, take the full course to prevent antibiotic resistance—a serious public health problem. Manage stress: Good mental health is part of good overall health. Get sufficient sleep (at least 7.5 hours per night), exercise and ask for help from a mental health professional when you need it. More health resources and tips can be found by visiting ama-assn.org. “The best way to address the post-holiday doldrums is to do something good for your health,” said Bruce A. Scott, M.D., president of the AMA. “Even small, positive choices you make now can have a big impact on your long-term wellbeing.”
by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
Twenty-one years after the United States Congress made Missouri the 24th state (August 10, 1821), Jacob Franklin Gregg was born on March 22, 1844. Some accounts tell us he was the first baby born in the tiny village of Stony Point. Known as Frank, he was one of ten children born to Jacob and Nancy Gregg, who came to Jackson County in 1825. They purchased land at Stony Point in 1843. Jacob Gregg held several positions in Jackson County, including sheriff, postmaster, and in 1850 he was elected to the Missouri State House of Representatives. Gregg and his neighbors and fellow landowners, Alexander Mc Alexander, Henry Haines, William Baugh, Jesse Barnard, and Robert Parker, to name a few, saw fit to build a school, a church, and establish a general store and post office, all before the Civil War. Democracy in action! Pink Hill was placed on the map by the United States Post Office in 1854 and Charles St Clair carried the first mail overland from Matthews Landing (near Levasy). In the same year the first school was built. George Love and Asbury Neer platted a town of 40 lots on 10 acres where present day Pink Hill and Kirby roads intersect northeast of Grain Valley. The first homesteaders in the area were Samuel Young in 1843 and Jacob Keshlear and William Holland in 1845 and Robert Graham (my maternal great, great, great grandfather) in 1849. Many of the families in both communities came from Kentucky or Tennessee, so on August 25, 1863, when General Thomas Ewing issued Order No. 11, both villages were abandoned by the residents with loyalties to the Confederate States of America. After the War Between the States some returned and others moved to the area. Both villages continued to thrive for a few years. School boards were established, mayors were elected, laws were written, the villages each had a sheriff. In 1871, the Pink Hill Methodist Church was established. In 1873, James H. Cannon arrived in Jackson County. He was a farmer and teacher at Stony Point. Later he established a mercantile there, and in 1876 he became the postmaster. Both villages hoped for the railroad to come through their community, but when the Chicago and Alton Railroad was completed in 1878, the tracks were laid in a more or less straight line from Oak Grove to Blue Springs. Both towns were bypassed. Mr. Cannon moved his mercantile to the railroad and Grain Valley was established!
by Michele Warmund, University of Missouri Extension Horticulturist
Fall is prime time for harvesting juicy, crunchy fresh apples at their peak of perfection. If you want to add an apple tree to your property, make sure to peruse the nursery catalogs and place an order for apple trees to plant in your yard. Placing an order now will ensure the delivery of the more popular, disease-resistant cultivars for planting next spring. By February or March, most of the apple tree inventory will have been sold, leaving the less desirable stock available for purchase. Planting disease-resistant cultivars is a recommended control strategy used to limit fungicide use. Some apple cultivars have been bred for resistance to four main diseases: apple scab, cedar apple rust, fire blight and powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is typically the least serious disease of the four. Besides disease resistance, there are several other factors to consider when selecting any fruit tree for planting. Chose a cultivar that is available on a rootstock that produces trees that will fit the allotted space for at least two trees, since most cultivars require cross-pollination for adequate fruit set. Cultivars on dwarfing rootstocks, such as M.9, G.11, G.16 and G.41, will be smaller than those on a semi-dwarfing rootstock like M.7 or MM.111. Select an apple that doesn’t ripen in the summer months. Warm weather causes ripened fruit to be soft. Many of the recent introductions can be picked in September or later, when nighttime temperatures are generally cooler. This results in better fruit color and firmness. Lastly, choose a cultivar with your preference for sweetness, tartness, sugar/acid balance, flavor and texture. Here are some apple cultivars to consider: Liberty is the most widely planted scab-resistant apple cultivar in Missouri. This cultivar produces medium-sized fruit with a mildly tart flavor during September. Liberty is favored due to its resistance to apple scab, fire blight, cedar apple rust and powdery mildew. Crimson Crisp trees produce medium-sized, dark red apples with a firm, crisp texture and a mildly acidic flavor. Its fruit ripens a few days earlier than Liberty and can be stored for at least four months in refrigeration. This cultivar is resistant to apple scab and somewhat susceptible to cedar apple rust and powdery mildew. Crimson Gold is another scab-resistant cultivar that ripens at the same time as Crimson Crisp. However, Crimson Gold apples have a peel color of reddish-orange blush with a yellow background and fine-textured flesh with a sweet-acidic flavor. Ruby Rush is a selection of a GoldRush x Enterprise cross that has resistance to apple scab, fire blight and cedar apple rust. Trees grow vigorously but can be prone to biennial bearing if developing fruit are not properly thinned early in the growing season. Ripens in September to early October. Galarina trees grow vigorously with an upright-spreading growth habit. This cultivar also has resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew. Apples are small to medium-sized with orange-red peel and a sweet flavor resembling Gala. Querina is an introduction with Jonathan apple parentage. Trees are scab-resistant but susceptible to cedar apple rust. The dark red, medium-sized fruit have a sweet-tart flavor and ripen in October. Winecrisp trees are resistant to apple scab and fire blight but susceptible to cedar apple rust. The apple peel is dark red but can have a dull, rough surface. Fruit has a sweet-tart, spicy flavor that is enhanced by refrigeration. Enterprise is an older, reliable cultivar that ripens in late October. It is immune to scab, resistant to fire blight and cedar apple rust and moderately resistant to mildew. The fruit are medium to large in size with tart flesh, but the red peel tends to be thick. Goldrush is another older cultivar that is immune to apple scab and moderately resistant to powdery mildew and fire blight but susceptible to cedar apple rust. The fruit ripens late in the season after Enterprise. It has medium to large yellow fruit with a sweet-acidic flavor that tends to mellow when cold-stored. For more information, see the MU Extension guides “Apple Cultivars and Their Uses” at extension.missouri.edu/g6022 and “Home Fruit Production: Apples” at extension.missouri.edu/g6021.
by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),the Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) invite both new and experienced birders to join the first ever Missouri Birding Challenge -- May 1-15! Missouri Birding Challenge participants will compete alone or on a team in different birding categories based on their ages, birding experience, and comfort levels. Birders will use eBird (eBird.org) to record their lists of birds identified at public natural areas around the state, or even in their own backyards. Once participants complete a category, they will be entered into a drawing for fun, bird-related prizes such as binoculars and gift cards. There is a fee of $10-$25 per person or team depending on the category. Fees go toward migratory bird conservation efforts. Learn more about the Challenge and related topics at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/birdwatching/missouri-birding-challenge. Full Challenge rules and details will be released in coming weeks. Registration will be open April 1-30 through the webpage. Get Prepared though Birding Webinars MDC and partners invite new and experienced birders to prepare for the Missouri Birding Challenge in May by joining the free Missouri Birding Challenge Webinar Series on various birding topics. The free webinars will introduce participants to birding and educate them on key issues around birds and bird conservation in Missouri. Register in advance for each webinar and then join the webinar live. Registered attendees will receive a reminder email before the webinar.
The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of January 2-7, 2025.
January 2, 2025 200 BLK SNI-A-BAR BLVD Open Door-Structure SW ADDIE LN AND JOESEPH CIR Extra Patrol ROSEWOOD Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 500 BLK MAIN ST Security Check WOODBURY Extra Patrol 1200 BLK RD MIZE Traffic Enforcement 600 BLK THIEME ST Suspicious Vehicle 1200 BLK NW ASHLEY DR Check Well Being 1700 BLK NW BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Harassment 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Citizen Contact 1500 BLK NW POND AVE Disturbance-Verbal PHQ Public Service 600 BLK NW YENNIE AVE Agency Assist EMS 700 BLK SW BROME DR Disturbance-Physical WOODBURY Extra Patrol January 3, 2025 1400 BLK OLYMPIC Security Check 1400 BLK NW EAGLES PKWY Security Check 1400 BLK HICKORY RIDGE Open Door-Structure 1400 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY Alarm-Commercial 100 BLK E HARRIS Extra Patrol 1300 BLK VALLEY WOODS CT Agency Assist LE WOODBURY LN Extra Patrol 40 HWY / EE KIRBY RD Motorist Assist 1200 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Disturbance-Physical PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Public Service 300 BLK E OLD 40 HWY Burglary 600 BLK THIEME Animal Control PHQ Walk In Report 1100 BLK SW SMITH ST Follow Up Investigation PHQ Walk In Report 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Traffic Enforcement 400 BLK CROSS CREEK DR Citizen Contact January 4, 2025 800 BLK SW RIDGEVIEW DR Citizen Contact NW PECAN DR / NW BURR OAK LN Extra Patrol 200 BLK NW JEFFERSON Agency Assist EMS 1400 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Alarm-Commercial NW WOODBURY DR Extra Patrol 1400 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY Alarm-Commercial NW HIGHVIEW DR Parking Complaint/Viol 40 BLK MEADOW Crash Non-Injury 200 BLK NW BARR RD APT A Assault PHQ Public Service 1600 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Crash Injury 1100 BLK EAGLE RIDGE DR Crash Non-Injury January 5, 2025 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Alarm-Commercial 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol PHQ Public Service 600 BLK NW WHITNEY DR Parking Complaint/Viol 200 BLK NW BARR RD Parking Complaint/Viol HIGHVIEW DR Parking Complaint/Viol EAGLE RIDGE / JEFFERSON Motorist Assist 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Area Check 1200 BLK GOLFVIEW DR Nature Unknown January 6, 2025 1400 BLK NW CEDAR CT Disturbance-Verbal 400 BLK SW LAURA LN Suspicious Person 1000 BLK NW MAGNOLIA LN Check Well Being 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Citizen Contact; Found Property 900 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Animal At Large 200 BLK NW BARR RD Follow Up Investigation 1400 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Alarm-Commercial PHQ Public Service 1000 BLK NW MAGNOLIA LN Disturbance-Verbal 1200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Disturbance-Verbal 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol JEFFERSON ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol January 7, 2025 WOODBURY LN Extra Patrol 5900 BLK S MINTER RD Suspicious Activity 100 BLK N BROADWAY Suspicious Person 300 BLK W FRONT ST Stealing R D MIZE / GOLFVIEW Tow 200 BLK NW BARR RD Tow KIRBY / RAILROAD TRACKS Area Check 900 BLK SANDY LN Area Check 1100 BLK OF BUCKNER TARSNEY Crash Non-Injury 1100 BLK GOLFVIEW DRC Disturbance-Verbal MAIN / 70 Crash Non-Injury 2100 BLK S DILLINGHAM RD Crash Left Scene 800 BLK SW MEADOW GLEN Standby to Prevent 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK BUSH DR Alarm-Commercial ROSEWOOD Extra Patrol SW JOSEPH CIR & SW ADDIE LN Extra Patrol 400 BLK SW ROCK CREEK LN Suspicious Vehicle 1200 BLK NW WILLOW DR Dead Body 
The Black Capped Chickadee is a favorite winter visitor to local bird feeders. Photo credit: MDC
The Cannon Store. Grain Valley, Missouri, Circa 1878. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society.
Legendary sports reporter Bill Althaus joins Grain Valley News as staff writer following his recent retirement from The Examiner after more than 40 years of service. Photo courtesy of Bill Althaus.
Jon Patterson easily wins race for Missouri House speaker over right-wing challengerby Rudi Keller and Clara Bates, Missouri Independent The Missouri legislature made history Wednesday as Republicans elected the first Asian-American speaker of the House and the first woman to be president pro tem of the state Senate. In the House, state Rep. Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit won an overwhelming victory over a challenger from within the Republican conference, state Rep. Justin Sparks, helped to the 152-10 victory by votes from minority Democrats. State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican from Shelbina, was elected unanimously to be the upper chamber’s top job after two years as the GOP floor leader. At a news conference after the House session, Patterson called the challenge “disappointing” and said Sparks forced the vote for personal reasons. “This was not about Amendment 3 (which restored abortion rights) or any policy agenda,” Patterson said. “This was a person with an oceanic ego who took it upon himself to make this day about himself.” Patterson, the majority leader in the previous General Assembly who was nominated months ago by the Republican conference. Sparks’ bid was always a longshot because he needed at least 30 votes to prevent Patterson from winning a majority on Republican votes alone.
When Democrats nominated their floor leader, state Rep. Ashley Aune of Kansas City, she withdrew and urged colleagues to support Patterson, ending any chance Sparks had of blocking the election. In nominating Patterson, Republican state Rep. Phil Amato of Arnold told a story about meeting and playing golf with him, only later to learn he is a surgeon. “Right then and there I knew this man had his feet firmly planted on the ground,” Amato said. Aune, who represents the 52 Democrats in the chamber, said she was encouraged that Patterson will be a fair leader who will represent the chamber well. “I am confident,” she said, “he will be a speaker for all 163 members.” At a Democratic news conference after the session, Aune said she told Patterson ahead of the vote that she intended to withdraw. She received no promises but said she and Patterson have a respectful relationship and she expects that to continue. “We work very well together, and while I haven’t been given explicit assurances,” Aune said, “what I will say is I do trust him to be fair and to listen to me and to my caucus members when we have an issue.”
Sparks based his campaign on a call for changes to the House rules and objections to the fundraising tactics of the House Republican majority. In nominating Sparks, freshman state Rep. Bryant Wolfin of Ste. Genevieve said the chamber needs reform. “The speaker holds a level of authority that would make even a monarch blush,” Wolfin said. “The culture in this building discourages dissent and rewards obedience to leadership over the service to our constituents.” The odds against Sparks’ bid are shown by the rarity of successful efforts to block the majority party’s nominee from becoming speaker. The last time was in 1996, when 11 Democrats voted present and four joined Republicans to prevent the election of state Rep. Sam Leake to replace outgoing Speaker Bob Griffin, who resigned midway through a term. The defeat forced Democrats to select a new candidate, state Rep. Steve Gaw, who was able to unite his caucus. After winning the election, Patterson told the House in a prepared speech that he wanted to address issues unfinished from last year, enact bills to help cities recruit and retain police officers and limit the availability of abortion, made legal again in Missouri by a voter-enacted constitutional amendment. “While we respect the will of the voters, we must clarify the provisions of Amendment 3 and make Missouri the most pro-life state it can be,” Patterson said. That does not include attempting to repeal Amendment 3, Patters said at his news conference. He also said he does not support efforts to roll back the provisions of Proposition A, which raised the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour and requires most employers to provide paid sick and family leave starting May 1. “We may take a look at some of the provisions, but I have not heard serious discussions about repeal, and I don’t favor delaying implementation,” Patterson said. The unfinished business, Patterson said, includes legislation to prevent the state from seizing Social Security benefits from foster children who qualify for disability benefits or whose parents have died. He also called for increased funding for mental health services for children. “We must prioritize the most vulnerable among us, especially our foster children,” Patterson said. Other unfinished business, Patterson said, is legislation to encourage businesses to provide on-site child care and expansion of existing child care centers. “Missouri’s families continue to be burdened with trying to find childcare spots that are too hard to find and too expensive,” he said. In the Senate, O’Laughlin set an agenda focused on issues affecting children, including the foster care system, education and health. “When families and communities are strong, when children are well nourished and well educated and when our streets are safe, Missouri thrives,” she said. O’Laughlin said the state needs to address the “root causes of poverty and addiction” in child welfare cases. “If you take a hard look at our child welfare system, you will see a system that is failing,” she said. “Failing to meet families where they are, failing to understand their struggles and failing to provide meaningful assistance in their time of need.” O’Laughlin also advocated for a “refocus on results that matter” in education, pointing to the state’s low rate of children being about to read at grade level, and for a tough-on-crime approach that doesn’t “release[] dangerous individuals back onto the streets to reoffend.” She emphasized her role as the first woman elected president pro tem of the state Senate. “And as a woman, I’ve seen firsthand how the role of the family has been transformed and sadly, too often, trivialized,” she said. “Mothers have been undervalued. Fathers have been dismissed. And the institution of marriage has been diminished.” Several women who previously served in the Senate attended in celebration. “We must support strong, healthy families, expand access to quality education, ensure safe neighborhoods and set high expectations for the next generation,” O’Laughlin said. “This is the foundation for success and prosperity.” GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: [email protected]. 
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