Mayor’s Christmas Tree in Felix St. Square. File photo courtesy Travis Dodge
An annual event will kick off the holiday season in downtown St. Joseph this weekend.
Brian Myers with First Saturdays Downtown St. Joseph said Holidays at the Square on Saturday begins with the arrival of Santa. There will be photo opportunities with Santa, carriage rides, musical entertainment and more.
“It’s a good opportunity to come downtown, bring your children, bring your grandchildren, catch the events and the music in the park,” Myers said. “A lot of these shops and restaurants are going to be open during and after the event and the ones that aren’t, it’s a good opportunity to walk by with your kids and see the cool window displays that our local shop owners have put up for us.”
Holidays at the Square will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Felix Street Square.
President Trump speaking in St. Charles on Wednesday-photo courtesy the White House
ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s speech promoting the Republican tax plan (all times local):
2:40 p.m.
President Donald Trump claims the Republican tax plan is going to cost him “a fortune.” Watch his comments here.
Trump is speaking at an event promoting the legislation in St. Charles, Mo. He is providing no evidence to support his claim, insisting, “Believe me.”
Trump has repeatedly declined to release his tax returns — something every other modern president has done.
Trump is trying to rebut independent analyses showing that many wealthy individuals would receive a tax break under the proposal, saying his rich associates have called him to complain about the plan.
Responding to Democratic charges that the bill would mostly benefit the rich, Trump says, “If it is, my friends don’t know about it.”
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2:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump’s visit to Missouri may be less about winning the support of Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill than boosting her opponent.
Trump, who called on McCaskill to support the bill during his tax reform event in St. Charles, Mo., is lending his support to Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley’s bid to unseat the Democratic lawmaker.
Trump is recognizing Hawley from the stage, saying, “He’s going to be a great senator.”
McCaskill voted against the GOP proposal in committee earlier this month, and is expected to vote against it when the full Senate takes up the measure.
Hawley greeted Trump at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and hitched a ride with the president to his event, where Trump is plugging the Republican tax reform effort.
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ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) – A little over 100 protesters gathered outside a suburban St. Louis convention center where President Donald Trump will speak on tax reform Wednesday afternoon.
The president is scheduled to speak at 2:30 p.m. at the St. Charles convention center. About 1,000 invited guests will attend.
Outside, protesters chanted slogans such as “this is what democracy looks like” hours before the speech. The Frontline protest group that has been active since a former Sr. Louis police officer was acquitted in the death of a black suspect in September is urging demonstrators to show up.
A couple dozen Trump supporters stood nearby with signs, including one that read “promises made, promises kept.”
The appearance by the president comes as the Senate is expected to vote this week on a tax reform plan.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will return to Missouri on Wednesday as he tries to push the Republican tax plan across the finish line.
Trump is expected to once again emphasize the plan’s benefits for middle-income Americans, small business owners and workers in the St. Louis suburbs. Critics say the House and Senate plans will disproportionately help the wealthy and corporations.
It’s his second trip to the state to sell his plan.
Senior administration officials briefing reporters ahead of the visit said Trump is expected to mention Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, a top Republican target in next year’s midterm elections in his remarks. Trump in August said that that if McCaskill didn’t support his plan, voters should push her out of office.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by Backpage.com that was aimed at blocking Missouri Attorney General’s Office from investigating it.
Attorney General Josh Hawley on Wednesday praised the decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Cohen.
Hawley’s office in May had demanded documents and other information from Backpage to investigate whether the company violated the state’s consumer-protection laws.
Backpage sued Hawley’s office in response, saying it doesn’t have control over sex-related ads posted on the website and has immunity from potential lawsuits over such ads.
But Cohen in her order wrote that more information is needed to weigh those legal questions, and those concerns shouldn’t stop Hawley’s investigation.
A Backpage.com attorney didn’t immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment Wednesday.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Authorities say firefighters have found a body after extinguishing a blaze at a Kansas City home.
KMBC-TV reports that police say the victim died from a gunshot wound. The fire swept through the home on the city’s east side early Wednesday. The name of the victim wasn’t immediately released and the cause of the fire wasn’t known.
Bilal Clarance. Photo courtesy Northwest Missouri State University.
MARYVILLE, Mo. – A software engineering manager at Apple will address Northwest Missouri State University graduates and their families during winter commencement ceremonies.
Bilal Clarance, a Northwest alumnus, will address graduates during the commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15.
“What a pleasure it will be to have Bilal and his family back at Northwest to address our winter graduates,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “Bilal has an excellent story – having been an international transfer student, one of our first interactive digital media majors and a student-athlete. Further, his entrepreneurial spirit, along with cutting edge technology focus, will enable Bilal to connect well with our graduates.”
Clarance joined Apple in 2012 and works at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. He started his role as a software engineering manager in 2015 and manages, coaches and mentors a group of engineers for the Apple online store. Before that, as a software engineer, he designed and developed services, tools and platforms for the Apple online store.
Prior to his career at Apple, he was co-founder and chief technology officer of BallAbroad.com, a software engineer at Findology Interactive Media Inc. and at Verifi, a developer at GetFugu and at Clarance Creations, and a desktop app builder for Skinkers.
A native of Copenhagen, Denmark, Clarance transferred to Northwest in 2003 from Miles Community College in Miles City, Montana, and graduated from the University in 2005 with his bachelor’s degree in interactive digital media with an emphasis in computer science. As a Northwest student, he worked in the campus’ Intercultural and International Center. He also was a member of the Bearcat men’s basketball team from 2003 to 2005, including the 2003-04 team that advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight and was inducted into Northwest’s M-Club Hall of Fame in 2014.
Clarance continued his basketball career after graduating from Northwest and played for clubs throughout Europe between 2005 and 2009. He also played for the Danish men’s national team, starting at the age of 18, and was its captain from 2007 to 2009.
Northwest will host commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 for bachelor’s degree candidates representing the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business and Professional Studies, and the School of Education, and at 2 p.m. for all master’s degree candidates as well as bachelor’s degree candidates representing the School of Computer Science and Information Systems and the School of Communication and Mass Media. Both ceremonies are in Bearcat Arena.
Doors will open to guests one hour prior to each ceremony. Shuttle services will be provided from parking lots 62 and 63 to the Lamkin Activity Center circle drive.
Nearly 200 students are expected to receive master’s or specialist degrees through the University’s graduate school. More than 300 undergraduate students from Northwest’s College of Arts and Sciences and six professional schools are expected to receive bachelor’s degrees.
No tickets are necessary to attend either ceremony. To accommodate guests who cannot attend, Northwest will offer a live online stream of the ceremonies at nwmissouri.edu/live.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on Donald Trump Jr.’s appearance at a fundraiser for Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s campaign for governor (all times local):
8:25 p.m.
Donald Trump Jr. says his father’s successful run for president has given conservatives the ability to feel free to speak up on issues.
Trump made the remark at a Tuesday evening fundraiser in suburban Kansas City for Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who is running for governor.
Kobach is seeking the Republican nomination next year in a crowded field.
The conversation came during a dinner for about 400 Kobach supporters, with Kobach and the younger Trump at a table.
Kobach opened the program with a short speech touching on his main campaign themes.
Later, the younger Trump called his father a “blue-collar billionaire” who is very much like the people of Kansas.
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7:30 p.m.
Donald Trump Jr.’s appearance at a fundraising event for Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s campaign has drawn dozens of protesters and a smaller crowd of counterprotesters.
The groups gathered Tuesday evening on opposite sides of the street leading to the Kansas City-area hotel where the fundraiser was being held.
More than 40 of them were protesting Trump Jr., President Donald Trump and Kobach. They held signs with such phrases as, “Liars Club Meeting Here Tonight.”
Retired teacher Al Frisby of Merriam was critical of Kobach’s push for tough voter ID laws and sees them as suppressing the vote.
Across the street, about a dozen pro-Trump and pro-Kobach counterprotesters gathered, holding a banner supporting the president.
Computer programmer Daniel Cossins said the group likes Kobach’s tough stance against illegal immigration.
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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Donald Trump Jr. is doing a fundraiser for Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s campaign for governor.
The event Tuesday evening at a Kansas City-area hotel highlights how Kobach has closer ties to the president than any fellow Republican in the crowded race.
Kobach has advised the White House and serves as vice chairman of a presidential commission on election fraud. His campaign for governor has sounded themes similar to those Trump senior emphasized in his presidential run last year.
The elder Trump carried Kansas by 20 percentage points, but Democrats hope to make inroads into the state’s all-GOP congressional delegation next year by attacking the president and appealing to disaffected Republican moderates.
Yet Kobach’s solid base on the right could be enough to win the August 2018 GOP primary.
There will be the chance for some light showers this morning south of Interstate 70 but otherwise conditions will remain dry. Skies will be mostly cloudy but temperatures will still remain above normal with highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s. Above normal temperatures will continue through the week with highs near 60 this weekend. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 51. East northeast wind 6 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Monday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on NBC News’ firing of longtime “Today” show host Matt Lauer for “inappropriate sexual behavior” (all times local):
8:30 a.m.
Matt Lauer’s former “Today” show colleagues were emotional on-air while dealing with the aftermath of his firing by NBC for what it termed “inappropriate sexual behavior.”
Co-host Savannah Guthrie fought back tears while calling Lauer “my friend and my partner.” She added that she was “heartbroken” for her unnamed colleague who the network said reported Lauer’s behavior Monday night. Hoda Kotb, who replaced Lauer in the anchor chair for the morning, added that she loved Lauer “as a friend and as a colleague” and said it was “hard to reconcile what we are hearing with the man who we know.”
Weatherman Al Roker was also visibly upset on-air, saying he was “still trying to process the news” while giving his report.
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7:40 a.m.
President Donald Trump is responding to the termination of “Today” show host Matt Lauer, saying executives at NBC and Comcast should be “fired for putting out so much Fake News.”
Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.” But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!
On Twitter Wednesday, Trump says “Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for ‘inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.’ But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News.”
Trump then cited the NBC News chairman adding: “Check out Andy Lack’s past!” It was not immediately clear what that comment referred to.
NBC announced Wednesday that it had terminated Lauer for inappropriate behavior at workplace. Lauer’s co-host Savannah Guthrie made the announcement at the top of Wednesday’s “Today” show.
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NEW YORK (AP) — NBC News says longtime “Today” show host Matt Lauer has been fired for “inappropriate sexual behavior.”
Lauer’s co-anchor Savannah Guthrie made the announcement at the top of Wednesday’s “Today” show.
Guthrie read a statement from NBC News chairman Andy Lack, stating that the company has received a detailed complaint from a colleague Monday night “about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace” by Lauer. Lack’s statement said the company found that after a serious review of the complaint it represented “a clear violation” of the company’s standards, and Lauer was terminated as a result.
Lack added in his statement that it was the first complaint about Lauer in more than 20 years at NBC, but “we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.”
The move comes a week after CBS News fired morning anchor Charlie Rose amid reports of sexual misconduct.
Governor Brownback during his Senate confirmation hearing opening comments
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is traveling to Washington to meet with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McConnell’s spokesman, David Popp, confirmed the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. The Kansas City Star reports Popp would not discuss the reason for the meeting but it comes as Brownback’s confirmation to be the next ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom has slowed, with no final vote scheduled.
Brownback said last week that he is hopes his appointment will be voted on before Christmas. He has already handed over some of his most important duties as governor to Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, including leadership over the state budget.
Brownback was nominated in July. A Senate committee narrowly approved the nomination in October, amid Democratic concerns about his record on LBGT issues.
Police on the scene at a Topeka home Monday-photo courtesy WIBW TV
SHAWNEE COUNTY —Early Monday, Police responded to the 1100 Block of SW High in Topeka for a report of a domestic disturbance, according to a media release.
On arrival as officers approached the residence they observed two persons inside, one with a gun. As the officers began to notify dispatch they heard gunshots and reported in as officers in danger.
Upon other agencies and officer’s arrival attempts at contacting the occupants of the residence were unsuccessful. The TPD, Shawnee Sheriff and Kansas Highway Patrol Response Teams and TPD Crisis Negotiators were called to the scene to assist in contact and stabilization. The Response Team was able to observe two people down inside the residence.
Lt. Colleen Stuart said officers eventually sent a robot into the house. The robot found the two people dead.
Those two persons have been identified as estranged husband and wife Tabitha Krystofosky, 27 and John Krystofosky, 27, of Topeka. The Shawnee County Coroner has determined Mrs. Krystofoskys injuries were consistent with homicide. Mr. Krystofoskys injuries are consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY — Two people were found dead after a standoff at a home in Topeka.
The standoff began at the home Monday morning after officers responded to a call about a domestic violence situation, according to police. When officers arrived, they heard gunfire.
Officers removed one person from the home’s front porch.
Lt. Colleen Stuart said officers eventually sent a robot into the house. The robot found the two people dead.
Their names and the cause of death have not been released.
Police also didn’t say how the person on the front porch was involved.
