KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The FBI is granting a community leadership award to the University of Missouri-Kansas City for its help with a new program aimed at getting the worst violent offenders off Kansas City streets.

Dubbed the “No Violence Alliance, or NoVA,” the idea is to identify the individuals and groups most likely to commit violent crimes and target them for harsh prosecution if necessary. Those who want to reform are offered the training and tools to do so.

The FBI says the university conceptualized and designed the project. It also provided the mechanism to identify offenders and the resources to train law enforcement officers.
A formal ceremony will be conducted next year in Washington, D.C., for award recipients. Chancellor Leo Morton is receiving the award on behalf of the university.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A farmer from Atchison County was re-elected president of the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation at its 100th annual meeting. Voting

delegates elected Blake Hurst, of Westboro, Mo., Dec. 9, to his third 2-year term. Approving 2015 legislative policy and electing board meetings capped the three-day meeting of farmers and ranchers.

“It is quite an honor to lead this organization as it celebrates 100 years of speaking out for farmers, ranchers and rural citizens in our state,” said Hurst. “This organization has seen ups and downs during its history, but we’ve never been stronger than we are now. I look forward to celebrating what we have accomplished, but with an eye on our work that lies ahead for our members.”

During his four years as Missouri Farm Bureau president, Hurst has proven an effective spokesperson for Missouri agriculture. As a freelance writer, his essays and opinions on rural America and farming have been published in publications like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The American, Weekly Standard, Wilson’s Quarterly, Reader’s Digest, Today’s Farmer and Show Me Missouri Farm Bureau magazine.

He continues to be sought out as a spokesperson for agriculture, not only in Missouri, but also in places like Philadelphia and New York City. He served as Missouri Farm Bureau vice president for seven years and represented his area of the state on the board of directors for eight years. His leadership roles began when he was appointed chairman of the Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, and he served on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. Hurst now serves on the AFBF Board of Directors.

Hurst is part of a family row crop farm. He raises corn and soybeans with his father, brothers, nephews and his two sons-in-law. He also runs a wholesale greenhouse business with wife, Julie, daughter, Lee, and sons-in-law. The Hursts sell bedding plants in a four-state area.

Besides Lee, Blake and Julie also have a daughter, Ann, development director for their local hospital, and son, Ben, who is a JAG Captain in the U.S. Army. The Hursts have six grandchildren.

– See more at: http://www.mofb.org/NewsMedia/News.aspx?articleID=534#sthash.O1Yp5gQI.dpuf

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – The Missouri insurance department is recommending a reduction in the premiums charged to businesses for workers’ compensation insurance.

The department is recommending a 4.4 percent decrease in insurers’ “loss costs” for 2015. Those loss projections typically are used by insurers when setting rates.

Department Director John Huff says the reduction is due to a decrease in medical claims costs, a decline in large losses in 2012 and a downward trend in the frequency of claims for lost time at work.

The state’s recommended reduction is slightly more than had been indicated in a report three months ago by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – A failed measure to require employers to use a federal system for checking employees’ legal resident status will have another chance in the Missouri Legislature.

State Rep. Mark Parkinson of St. Charles on Monday announced plans to file a bill that would expand the E-Verify system to all state businesses.

The Republican says it could reduce the number of immigrants working illegally in Missouri.

Missouri already requires public and private employers that receive loans, contracts or grants from the state to participate in the federal work authorization program.

Parkinson’s bill also would increase the penalties for noncompliance, including as much as $10,000 in fines or revoking business licenses.

Immigrant advocates and business leaders say the program is not always accurate and places a burden on employers.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon is backing a bonding package to pay for repairs to Missouri’s century-old Capitol building and other government and university facilities.

Nixon got a firsthand look at some of the needed repairs Monday. He walked through the mud underneath the Capitol’s driveway and used his fingers to snap off one of the many skinny stalactites that have formed from water leaks.

Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a measure authorizing up to $600 million of bonds for repairs or renovations at state facilities and college campuses. But little has been done with that, because not many specific projects were included in a separate budget bill passed by lawmakers.
Nixon wants lawmakers to approve a bonding project list during the 2015 session.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal immigration authorities are urging qualified immigrants to apply for President Barack Obama’s reprieve from deportation and trying to dispel fears that a future administration might unravel the program.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services director Leon Rodriguez on Monday told immigrant advocates at a Los Angeles conference that in the past presidents have respected immigration measures taken by their predecessors.

He told reporters that immigration officers don’t share applicants’ information with enforcement authorities unless an applicant has a disqualifying criminal history or is a national security threat.

Rodriguez says his agency will hire as many as 1,000 immigration officers to process applications.

The program could give work permits and deportation protection to nearly 5 million immigrants in the country illegally. At least 20 states have sued to block the measure.

MISSION- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 10 a.m. on Monday in Johnson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Buick LeSabre driven by Cassandra M. Ballard, 26, Edgerton, was northbound Interstate 35 at Lamar.

The driver blacked out. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned into Turkey Creek.

Ballard was transported to KU Medical Center.
The KHP reported she was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

JONATHAN LEMIRE, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg are highlighting an effort to gather data to help women and girls around the world.

SCOTT CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man is facing charges for allegedly trying to scam elderly homeowners, and bank workers are credited with actions that led to his arrest.

The Southeast Missourian reports that 50-year-old William E. Riley of Hannibal is charged with attempted financial exploitation of the elderly and resisting arrest.

Authorities say Riley went to the home of an 88-year-old Scott City woman on Dec. 1, inspected her lightning rods, and told her she owed $4,500 for repairs.

Police say Riley tried to cash the woman’s check at a Regions Bank in Scott City, but suspicious bank workers called the victim, who told them she was intimidated into writing the check.
Riley was arrested days later. He is jailed on $2,500 bond and does not have a listed attorney.