Reece Gray, Gaige Bodle Pitch Bluejays to First Win

Reece Gray and Gaige Bodle pitched the Northeast Nodaway Bluejays to their first win of the season, an 11-1 win over DeKalb, after going through a four-game hell week to start the season. They were run ruled in their first three games, against St. Joseph Christian, Mid-Buchanan, and King City. But they showed some life against Maryville before a late Spoofhound outburst put the game away 6-2.

The Bluejays came into the game Monday winless, but DeKalb had not gotten a game in under their belts yet.

It looked like one of those games again for Northeast when Luke Miller hit a solid shot past short for a single. Cooper Wachtel grounded out, but Riley Pyles was plunked with two strikes on him to put two on. But Reece Gray settled down and struck out Kyle Funk and Landon Crockett to get out of the inning with no damage done.

Brayden Stevens walked and stole second. The first sign the game might go the Bluejays’ way came when Reece Gray hit a slow roller to second and beat it out as Stevens took third. Jace Cameron reached on a throw in the dirt by the shortstop to score two runs, and for the first time all year, the Bluejays were in front of someone 2-0.

Jace Cameron went to second on a wild pitch and Camdain Frisch grounded out to move him to third. Carter Chapman walked and stole second. Landon Wilmes struck out, but the second sign that the game would go Northeast Nodaway’s way came when what would have been strike three on Lance Runde got away and lodged in the fence, putting Runde on first, scoring Cameron, and putting Chapman on third to make it 3-0 after one.

Gray hit Kale Cassity to start the second, but settled down to retire the next five DeKalb batters. Northeast couldn’t score in the second, but Camdain Frisch was plunked to start the third and Carter Chapman doubled him home to make it 4-0 to start the Bluejay third.

That chased DeKalb’s best pitcher, Cooper Wachtel. Northeast took advantage of the situation as Chapman scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-0. The next run came when Lance Runde was slow taking off to third on a passed ball situation, but scored to make it 6-0 when DeKalb threw it away. A pair of DeKalb errors scored two more Bluejay runs to make it 8-0 after three. One came off a bobble and one came off a towering pop fly in front of the plate that dropped uncaught and rolled into fair territory.

Gaige Bodle, after a one year hiatus from baseball, came back and showed he had been working hard at his craft. He had been pitching batting practice for the Bluejays, and coach Cody Green liked what he saw from him and tried him in a game situation. After striking out his first batter, he fought the strike zone and walked the next batter; a scratch hit and a solid single put DeKalb on the board at 8-1 and put Kale Cassity at third and Grayson Moore at second with one out.

On the next play, Bodle threw it in the dirt, it got away from catcher Landon Wilmes, but not far enough to allow Cassity to score from third. But Moore tried to take off from second to third; Wilmes ran at Cassity and tagged him out when he overran third scrambling to get back; Wilmes then threw to second to get Moore before he could scramble back. Instead of a big DeKalb inning, the Bluejays were still up 8-1.

The Bluejays didn’t give DeKalb another chance as Camdain Frisch, Carter Chapman, and Landon Wilmes crossed the plate on wild pitches in the Bluejay fourth and then Bodle settled down and retired the next three DeKalb batters in order in the fifth. With Luke Miller, DeKalb’s best hitter, up, he hit a towering fly ball to left field, but Carter Chapman was there to haul it in for the final out.

Craig Joins EA Coop for Football, Baseball

Craig has become a member of the East Atchison cooperative for football and baseball. They are competing with East Atchison in baseball this season and will compete with them in football starting next year.

On December 20th, 2023, the Mound City School Board voted unanimously to terminate the all-sports cooperative agreement with Craig that had been in place for the previous nine years. The Mound City paper in February 2025 reported that enrollment at Craig had declined to 49 students total at one point, although that number subsequently rose to 67. The town has not recovered either population or in enrollment since the flooding of 1993 and 2011. As of the current enrollment period, Craig had 13 students between grades 9 through 11 according to the MSHSAA enrollment page.

In 2024, Mound City competed on its own in all sports. Mound City and Craig had separate tents at the Worth County Early Bird this year. Meanwhile, Craig engaged in talks with all neighboring school districts before reaching the agreement with EA.

In February 2025, a committee consisting of members of Tarkio and Fairfax that oversee the East Atchison cooperative was receptive to adding Craig on a year by year basis. There was talk of adding girls softball as well, but that did not materialize. At the February 2025 board meeting, the Tarkio School Board voted to add Craig to the cooperative on a 5-2 vote.

All home sports events will continue to be held at either Fairfax or Tarkio. Craig will provide transportation to practices.

The upcoming school year will see wholesale changes for Tarkio and the East Atchison cooperative. Longtime football coach Aaron Behrens, longtime boys basketball coach Kevin Dodson, and girls basketball coach Devin Albertson have all turned in their resignations.

 

County Seeks to Replace Five Bridges

The Worth County Commission is seeking to replace five bridges in the county.

The Old 169 Bridge south of Grant City, the Maplewood Trail Bridge, and the Little Rock Creek Bridge near Denver are on the list. The Old 169 Bridge and the Maplewood Trail Bridge were built in 1928. The Little Rock Creek Bridge has a Works Progress Administration marking on it; it was built during the Great Depression. The goal is to replace these bridges next year.

In addition, the county is looking into replacing box culvert bridges on 140th Road and 150th Road. That is down the road when funding and borrowing capacity becomes available.

 

Lady Hawks Post Three Wins at Early Bird

The Gilman City Lady Hawks picked up where they left off in basketball, getting 50 team points, finishing fourth, and posting three first place finishes at the Worth County Early Bird Thursday.

Khloey Sperry was third in the 200 with a time of 29.03. She was fourth in the 400 with a time of 1:06.34.

Kelsey Sperry won the 800, running away with the event with a time of 2:41.44. It was the first time she had ever won the 800. She had Aniya Hardee (Bedford) on her tail much of the way, but pulled away for the win. Shelby Gibson was fourth with a personal best time of 3:03.40 on a day in which many athletes battled the wind all afternoon.

Avery Gregg won the 1600, running away with the event and beating Madeline Wilmes (Nodaway Valley) by nine seconds. Gregg got a time of 6:08.34.

The 4x800 team of Shelby Gibson, Kelsey Sperry, Avery Gregg, and Khloey Sperry won the event with a time of 11:01.84. Kelsey Sperry got a lot of separation from the rest of the field in the first leg. Khloey Sperry, running in the event for the first time ever, held her own and then Shelby Gibson put on a big burst of speed at the start of the third leg to give the Hawks some more separation before Avery Gregg took it home. The Hawks won the event by 18 seconds.

Khloey Sperry was locked in a tight battle with four other athletes in the High Jump. Finally, Baylie Busby (NEN) and Riley Ridge (Worth County) dropped out, setting up a three way battle between Sperry, Annabelle Gardner (Pattonsburg), and Sloane McClain (East Harrison). All three cleared the 1.55 barrier, but none of them could clear the 1.60 barrier, setting up a three way tie. Sloane McClain won the event as she had the fewest misses, followed by Gardner in second and Sperry in third.

 

 

Andrew Griffin Win in High Jump Highlights Tiger Afternoon

Andrew Griffin won the High Jump for the Tiger boys to highlight the afternoon for the Early Bird and matched a personal best with a height of 1.85 meters.

On the girls side, South Harrison had 97, Mound City 71, Stanberry 54, Gilman City 50, Bedford 42, Albany 41, Worth County 32, East Atchison 32, Platte Valley 31, Pattonsburg 28, East Harrison 24, King City 20, Nodaway Valley 18, Mercer 11, North Harrison 9, North Nodaway 9, Winston 8, NEN 6, and Tri-County 1.

On the boys side, Bedford had 112, Mound City 99, Stanberry 67, Albany 52, Worth County 45, North Harrison 39, South Harrison 31, North Andrew 26, East Atchison 25, Platte Valley 24, King City 22, North Nodaway 15, NEN 12, Pattonsburg 9, Winston 4, Nodaway Valley 2, and Mercer 2.

For the girls, Emma Spencer was third in the 100 with a time of 14.32 seconds. The Tigers placed two in the 200 as Spencer was second with a time of 28.89 and Keira Hardy was sixth with a time of 29.88. Audrey Runde was sixth in the 100 Hurdles with a time of 21.55.

The 4x100 team was third with a time of 54.84. The 4x200 team was fifth with a time of 2:03.69.

Riley Ridge was fourth in the High Jump with a height of 1.50. Audrey Runde tried her hand at the Javelin and was fourth with a throw of 26.60 meters.

Griffin winning the High Jump for the boys was the highlight of the afternoon. In other results, Lucas Frisch was second in the 110 Hurdles with a time of 16.63. He was third in the 300 Hurdles with a time of 43.37.

The 4x100 team of Andrew Griffin, Cole Ruby, Franklynn Taute, and Wyatt Hill was fourth with a time of 48.28. The 4x200 team of Brayden Combs, Wyatt Hill, Ethan Lininger, and Cole Ruby was fifth with a time of 1:49.53.

Brayden Combs was fifth in the Pole Vault with a height of 2.90 meters. Wyatt Hill was sixth, also with a height of 2.90. Lucas Frisch was fourth in the Long Jump with a jump of 5.96 meters.  Frisch was second in the Triple Jump with a jump of 12.77 meters. Ethan Lininger got a personal best in the Discus with a throw of 31.53 meters.

 

Show-Me Christian Youth Home Featured in Childcare Article

Show-Me Christian Youth Home, a Christian youth ministry which houses children from broken homes and which is supported by several area churches, was featured in Metro Voice News, a Kansas City-based website that covers Christian news.

They did an article about House Bill 764 and Senate Bill 525, bills which would establish a registration process allowing faith-based children’s homes like Show-Me to accept state placements while maintaining their religious independence.

The article featured testimony by Katrina Woods, a retired police dispatcher, who found her mother dead at eight years of age and who endured years of abuse before being placed at a Show-Me Christian Youth Home. Woods testified that she endured physical and sexual abuse and going without food for up to a week at a time.

The Missouri Department of Social Services reports that the state has over 14,000 foster children, but only 4,500 homes available to care for them. At the same time, they report that there has been a 55% turnover rate among frontline staff, creating a revolving door for at-risk children.

Religious homes accepting such placements would have to meet the following standards:

—Mandatory background checks for all personnel;

—-Regular health and safety inspections;

—Compliance with fire and sanitary standards;

—Published standards filed with the state;

—Regular oversight from religious and state authorities.

 

878,170 Snow Geese Observed at Loess Bluffs in One Week

Around 878,170 snow geese were observed at the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City during the week of March 11th, the site reported. As most of them flew north, the numbers dropped to 8,095 as of the week of March 25th.

During the week of March 25th, the following waterfowl and bald eagle numbers were observed:

Greater White-fronted goose (231), Snow Goose (8,095), Ross Goose (14), Canada Goose (70), Trumpeter Swan (106), Wood Duck (605), Gadwall (1,470), American Wigeon (5), Mallard (2,170), Blue Winged Teal (1,090), Northern Shoveler (6,835), Northern Pintail (335), Green Winged Teal (660), Ring Necked Duck (6,095), Scaup (50), Bufflehead (153), Common Goldeneye (2), Hooded Merganser (90), Ruddy Duck (70), Pine Billed Grebe (22), American Coot (6,390), and Bald Eagle (6).

Editorial -- Dangerous Intersection at 136 & Mozingo Getting Out of Hand

There is a growing traffic problem at Mozingo Lake at the intersection of 136 and Liberty Road, the road that goes to Mozingo Lake.

Recently, one of our friends attempted to turn out of Mozingo. When you turn right from Liberty Road onto 136, there is a very small acceleration lane, and drivers trying to enter 136 cannot see over the hill just east of the intersection. Our friend didn’t see a car coming over the hill, had a near-collision, and the driver of the other car tailgated her and honked at her for miles. The speed limit for 136 is 60 miles per hour, and most drivers go five miles per hour over the limit, which means that if there is a car coming over the hill, there is little time for drivers turning onto 136 to react.

We ourselves have driven 136 past Liberty Road regularly, and we have had to slow down many times because of turning traffic from Liberty Road. It becomes even more dangerous for us if there is a car tailgating us from behind who thinks that Route 136 and any other road with a 60 mile per hour speed limit is a blank check to treat our roads like the NASCAR races.

It is even worse for vehicles which are pulling a camper or boat and can’t accelerate as quickly. Had the incident in question involved a vehicle towing a boat or camper, there would have doubtless been a collision and possibly an injury. And it is even less safe for farmers trying to use the road to get to the pasture, haul hay, or get their cattle or crops from the farm to the market, which is the reason why our politicians built our road system the way it is.

While the Mozingo Lake project is doubtless an economic boon to the area, it won’t grow as much as people would like unless the safety of people who wish to use it comes first. The Missouri Department of Transportation should not wait until there is a fatal car wreck or road rage incident before making needed changes for the safety of everyone who wishes to enjoy Mozingo.

While the DOT can’t control anyone who is prone to fits of road rage, and they can’t control anyone who sees roads like 136 as a NASCAR race track, they can take measures that ensure the safety of the rest of us who just want to get from point A to point B in one piece.

 

 

 

Trump Seeks to Exempt Certain Agencies from Collective Bargaining

On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order ending collective bargaining with federal unions in agencies he says are involved with national security missions. He says he has authority under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.

The agencies affected are as follows:

National Defense. Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Coast Guard.

Border Security. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership components, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Executive Office of Immigration Review, and the Office of Refugee Resettlement within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Foreign Relations. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, and U.S. International Trade Commission.

Energy Security. Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Interior units that govern domestic energy production.

Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention, and Response. Within HHS, the Secretary’s Office, Office of General Counsel, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Food and Drug Administration, and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In the Department of Agriculture, the Office of General Counsel, Food Safety and Inspection Service, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Cybersecurity. The Office of the Chief Information Officer in each cabinet-level department, as well as DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the General Services Administration (GSA).

Economic Defense. Department of Treasury.

Public Safety. Most components of the Department of Justice as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency. However, police and firefighters are not covered.

Federal News Network, a website which covers activities of the federal government, reported that several federal agencies have filed a lawsuit against the American Federation of Government Employees seeking a declaratory judgement stating it has the power to end these collective bargaining agreements.

The Project 2025 Blueprint, the paper the Trump Administration uses to implement its agenda, argues in its paper that even President Franklin Roosevelt held that union representation in the federal government was incompatible with democracy.

The document argues, “Congress should also consider whether public sector unions are appropriate in the first place. The bipartisan consensus up until the middle of the 20th century held that these unions were not compatible with constitutional government. After more than half a century of experience with public-sector union frustrations, it is hard to avoid reaching the same conclusion.”

The Trump Administration argues in its fact sheet announcing the order that hostile federal unions are dangerous for agencies with national security responsibilities, citing the fact that agencies cannot modify policies in collective bargaining agreements until they expire, agencies cannot make most contractually permissible changes until after midterm bargaining, that unions can and do use their powers to block the implementation of federal laws, and that federal unions are widely filing grievances over President Trump’s policies; for instance, the VA unions alone have filed 70 such grievances since Trump took office.

AFGE suits have already forced agencies to reinstate 25,000 fired probationary employees after two judges ruled these firings were unlawful. They estimate, as quoted by the Federal News Network, that if the order stands, over 1 million employees, or nearly half the federal workforce, would be affected.

The American Federation of Governmental Employees accuses the Trump Administration of retaliating against the lawsuits in question and says the President’s “bullying tactics” are not just a threat to federal employees and their unions, but to every American who values freedom of speech and association. The AFGE says they are preparing legal action to block the order.

They argue the following:

—Federal unions cannot negotiate over pay, benefits, or hiring/firing decisions.

—Federal employees are prohibited by law from striking.

—Nearly one third of federal employees are veterans.

—The Civil Service Reform Act has a process in place to address workplace issues without disrupting governmental operations.

—Unions improve agency performance, reducing costly litigation.

—Removing bargaining rights opens the door to abuse and whistleblowers lose protection from retaliation.

—Presidents from both parties such as Reagan, Clinton, Bush II, and Obama, have upheld the right of federal workers to union representation.

RIP Comish James — The Passing of an Era

By Keith James

The old gas station, the last one that was open in Grant City, was called “Comish Service.” It was owned by a guy named Duane James. The station stands on the corner of 149 and Lyon Street.

He wore blue jeans and a striped blue shirt with a red rag hanging out of his back pocket. He had a nickname of “Comish.” A lot of customers didn’t even know his real name. When they would pull up out front, he would come out to meet them, and they would say, “What’s up, Comish?” He would say, “What can I do for you?” He would fill your tank with gas and check your tires and check the oil if it needed it. When you paid him, he would go into the station and bring you your change back and probably some candy for the kiddo in your car.

He had antiques throughout the store, and young kids would go in to explore. He always had a couple of cars in the bay for repair. He would run back and forth to answer the phone and pump gas. I bet he was really tired by the end of the day.

His hours were 7 to 6, six days a week. Many would say that he was the best mechanic in Worth County. No job was too big or small. He could overhaul your engine and have it purring like a kitten. He would even go through your transmission. If you wanted to stay and visit him while you worked, he would tell you the latest news around town. He would say what the weather was to be that day and the rest of the week. When they got ready to leave, they would say, “See you later, Comish,” and his reply would be, “Right on.”

Now, these full-service stations are a thing of the past. As I pull into a convenience store to get gas, I look back and think it would be nice to have a conversation with that guy that used to pump my gas. I know if you are elderly or handicapped or need assistance, that the guy behind the counter won’t help you like the attendant in the past.

Keith James is the brother of the late Duane “Comish” James. Comish would have turned 70 recently.

 

Francis Zimmerman 1927-2025

Francis Cleo Zimmerman, 97, passed away March 26, 2025. He was born at home in Worth County, Missouri to Francis Cleveland and Amy Blanche (Meredith) Zimmerman on April 15, 1927. He married Anita Colleen Hammack at the First Christian Church in Ridgeway, MO, December 24, 1950. To this union five daughters were born.

Cleo was a farmer at heart, having grown up on the farm and helping his father. He later purchased the farm from his father and went into business for himself. He raised his family on this farm located northeast of Bethany, MO. He was also employed by the United States Postal Service in 1960. He worked as a walking letter carrier and retired after 18 years of service. In retirement, he drove a school bus for the South Harrison School District.

He was particularly proud of his service to his country in the United States Army. He entered active service in January 1951 and was sent to Camp Carson for training. After completing Basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) he was assigned to the 973rd Construction Engineer Battalion, Company C and was sent to participate in Operation Pinetree II in 1952. His unit was sent to St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Frobisher Bay, Nunavet, Canada being involved in clearing land and building roads to prepare for the construction of radar sites in support of NORAD.  His unit completed operations in October 1952. Cleo was honorably discharged from the Army November 5, 1952. Upon returning home, he enlisted in the local Army Reserve unit in Bethany, MO. He served 7 years in the reserves and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Cleo was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Anita Zimmerman, his parents, Francis and Amy Zimmerman, his sisters: Pauline Danner, Vivian Hackett, and Eleanor Henry; his brothers-in-law, two nephews and one niece. Survivors include his five daughters: Karen Combs, Sharon Douthat, Loretta Kay James, Mary (Eldon) Wulf, and Barbara (Robert) Scheidegger; 11 grandchildren: Charice, Amanda, Aaron, Adam, Adrian, Nicholas, Cory, Cody, Montana, Cassandra, and Connor; 13 great-grandchildren: Eliah, Daniel, Joel, Greyson, Lettie, Mollie, William, Slate, Aspen, Amory, Aycen, Maya, Ethan.

Services will be held at Bethany Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Graveside services with Military Honors will be at the Miriam Cemetery, Bethany.

Memorial gifts may be made to the American Legion or Miriam Cemetery in care of the funeral home. Tributes may be left at www.bethanymemorialchapel.com.

 

Missouri February 2025 Jobs Report

Missouri nonfarm payroll employment increased by 12,500 jobs in February 2025, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent. Private industry employment increased by 12,200 jobs and government employment increased by 300 jobs. Over the year, there was an increase of 10,300 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025, and the unemployment rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point, from 3.5 percent in February 2024 to 3.7 percent in February 2025.

EMPLOYMENT

Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment was 2,993,900 in February 2025, up by 12,500 from the revised January 2025 figure. The January 2025 total was revised downward by 1,400 jobs from the preliminary estimate.

Goods-producing industries increased by 9,700 jobs over the month, with manufacturing gaining 9,300 jobs and mining, logging, and construction gaining 400 jobs. The increase in manufacturing is likely due to employees returning to work after temporary shutdowns. Private service-providing industries increased by 2,500 jobs between January 2025 and February 2025. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in professional and business services (3,300 jobs), private education and health services (3,000 jobs), and information (800 jobs). Employment decreased in leisure and hospitality (-2,400 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,900 jobs); and financial activities (-300 jobs). Total government employment increased by 300 jobs over the month, with an increase in local government (700 jobs) and a decrease in federal government (-400 jobs).

Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 10,300 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025. Employment gains were in private education and health services (19,300 jobs), financial activities (400 jobs), and other services (400 jobs). Employment decreased in leisure and hospitality (-9,900 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (-3,100 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (-2,000 jobs); information (-1,800 jobs); professional and business services (-1,200 jobs); and manufacturing (-300 jobs). Government employment increased by 8,500 jobs over the year, with increases in state (6,400 jobs) and local (2,400 jobs) and a decrease in federal government (-300 jobs).

UNEMPLOYMENT

Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent in February 2025 from the revised January 2025 rate. The February 2025 rate was two-tenths of a percentage point higher than the February 2024 rate. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 117,687 in February 2025, up by 2,339 from the revised January total of 115,348.

The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate also remained at 4.4 percent in February 2025. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 4.1 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for February 2025 was 4.5 percent.

Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.3 percent in February 2025, nine-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.4 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 60.9 percent in February 2025, one percentage point higher than the national rate of 59.9 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 3.7 percent in February 2025, four-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.1 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than nine years.

Graves Named “Most Effective Legislator” of 118th Congress

By Congressman Graves’ Office

The Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL) at the University of Virginia announced Tuesday, March 25th the release of their Legislative Effectiveness Scores for the 118th Congress (2023-2024).

The group announced that Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) topped their list this year with a Legislative Effectiveness Score seven times higher than the average member of the House.

“Our analysis found that Representative Graves ranked as the most effective Republican House Member in the last Congress. In addition, he ranked as one of the most effective Representatives in terms of having their sponsored standalone bills substantially incorporated into the laws of other members of Congress. We congratulate the Representative for his hard work and setting an example for promoting the importance of effective lawmaking,” according to the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

Legislative Effectiveness Scores are based on “the bills that each member of Congress sponsors, how far they move through the lawmaking process, and how substantial their policy proposals are.” Graves sponsored 17 bills in the last Congress, 8 of which passed the House, and 4 of which became law as stand-alone measures.

“I have always strived to get things done for Missouri in Congress. You can accomplish a lot by working hard to push legislation forward. That’s why it is an absolute honor to be recognized as the most effective lawmaker of the 118th Congress by the Center for Effective Lawmaking,” said Rep. Graves. “It’s an honor to work for the people of North Missouri and I look forward to getting more accomplished this year!

Major bills from the 118th Congress sponsored by Graves and signed into law, whether as stand-alone measures or as part of other bills, included the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, the E-BRIDGE Act, and the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023.

Graves serves as Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and also sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

The Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023 was a law that temporarily extended specific FAA programs through December 31st, 2023. It provided for the extension of taxes funding the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and requires the designation of certain airports as ports of entry. It also amends Title 49, US Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.

The E-BRIDGE Act authorizes the Department of Commerce to award economic development grants for public-private partnerships and certain consortiums to carry out specified broadband projects. It also aims to remove hurdles for broadband projects such as last-mile regulations that delay rural broadband development.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) is legislation that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works Program for projects to improve the nation’s ports, harbors, inland waterways, flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. It includes funding for water and wastewater management, including stormwater management.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 was signed into law on May 16, 2024. It reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through Fiscal Year 2028, including activities related to airport planning, development, facilities, equipment, and operations. The National Transportation Safety Board is also reauthorized through FY2028. The bill imposes limits on foreign interchange agreements to ensure competitive fairness in the U.S. airline industry.

All four measures were passed by the US House and Senate and signed into law by President Joe Biden.