Opinion -- Bill to Protect Children from Predatory Chatbots Gains Sponsors

By Senator Josh Hawley’s Office

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced additional cosponsors for the GUARD Act, his bipartisan legislation that would protect children from predatory AI chatbots. In addition to the GUARD Act's original cosponsors Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), Senator Hawley secured additional support for the GUARD Act from Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R- Utah) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.). 

Senator Hawley's GUARD Act would ban AI companions for minors, mandate that AI chatbots disclose its non-human status, and create new crimes for companies that make AI for minors that solicit or produce sexual content. The legislation is gaining traction in the Senate as a bipartisan coalition works to protect the most vulnerable.

“AI chatbots are killing our kids. I'm thankful to see this issue gaining bipartisan momentum in the Senate," said Senator Hawley. "We must unite to ensure our children are protected from predatory AI chatbots."

“It’s too easy for our children to gain access to AI bots that produce horrific content," said Senator Cotton. "Our bill will require companies to use proper age verification to ensure minors don’t have access to AI-generated explicit content.”

“AI chatbots with no safeguards pose real harm to our children. Parents should not have to wonder whether a digital tool in their home is manipulating or endangering their kids,” said Senator Lankford. “The GUARD Act sets firm safety standards and prevents companies from giving minors access to unsafe AI systems. Families deserve that level of protection.”

“AI chatbots can act like online predators, luring our kids into mental health issues and exploitation,” said Senator Lee. “Parents want better tools and fewer threats to their families, and kids deserve protection from AI-perpetrated harm. The GUARD Act would criminalize targeting minors with fake AI companions and hold big tech accountable for lying to our children.”

“Nearly three-quarters of all young people in our country are now turning to unregulated AI chatbots, with alarming consequences—in some cases, even encouraging kids to engage in behavior that can hurt themselves and others. And Big Tech isn’t doing enough to address it,” said Senator Welch. “The safety of our children must always come first. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will hold Big Tech accountable and protect kids across the country from predatory chatbots.”

In October, Senator Hawley hosted a press conference highlighting the tragic stories of children who received guidance from AI chatbots on how to harm themselves or end their life. Hawley was joined by the GUARD Act's initial cosponsors: Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). 

The GUARD Act has also received broad support from advocacy organizations, including the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, the National Parents Union, the Family Research Council, and more.

The GUARD Act would:

—Ban AI companies from providing AI companions to minors. 

—Mandate that AI companions disclose their non-human status and lack of professional credentials for all users 

—Create new crimes for companies which knowingly make available to minors AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content

Opinion -- Graves Bill Creates Tuition Assistance for Air Guard Members

By Congressman Sam Graves Office

Congressmen Sam Graves (MO-06), Brad Finstad (MN-01), and Eric Sorenson (IL-17), introduced the Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance to Unify the Services (STATUS) Act, bipartisan legislation that requires the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a permanent federal tuition assistance program for drill status guard (DSG) members of the Air National Guard (ANG). 

This tuition assistance program would be consistent with the program already available to the Army National Guard. The legislation is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). 

"The Air Guard STATUS Act is about finally closing a gap that should’ve never existed. It gives Air National Guard members the same federal tuition assistance the Army National Guard already receives, helping recruit, retain, and take care of the Airmen who keep our communities and our country safe. We value their service and investing in their education is one of the clearest ways to show it,” said Rep. Graves. 

“I’m proud to join Reps. Sorensen and Graves in introducing the Air Guard STATUS Act, which will deliver much needed educational assistance to the brave men and women serving in the Air National Guard and create parity with the benefits afforded to the Army National Guard. This legislation will ensure deserved benefits and recognition reach all DSG members of the National Guard who have answered the call to serve our great nation,” said Rep. Finstad. 

“Our Airmen proudly serve our communities and our country, and they should have equal access to education benefits no matter where they live,” said Congressman Sorensen. “I am proud to stand alongside Reps. Finstad and Graves to make sure we invest in our Air National Guard members across the country.”

 

Opinion -- Graves Delivers Wins for North Missouri in Defense Bill

By Congressman Sam Graves Office

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered important wins for North Missouri in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House today. The bill supports our troops at home and abroad, their families, and their mission in keeping our country safe.

“We have to ensure our military remains the most lethal, most effective fighting force in the world,” said Graves. “To do that, we have to give our troops the tools they need to fight and win—while supporting them and their families at home and abroad. I’m proud to have worked in the House Armed Services Committee to ensure this year’s defense bill does just that, while also supporting the vital mission of the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph and good-paying skilled jobs at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence.”

Wins for North Missouri:

$200 million for procuring 2 C-130Js for Air National Guard

Extends C-130 fleet protections through FY28, including the minimum inventory requirement and the prohibition on reducing Air National Guard C-130 aircraft.

Requires annual reports through FY28 on Air Force C-130 inventory, planned retirements, modernization and recapitalization efforts, and basing plans for fielding C-130Js for Air National Guard

Fosters development of a Domestic Operations Tactics Training Center for C-130J aircrews at Rosecrans, building on the 139th Airlift Wing’s expertise in responding to domestic disasters and training crews in advanced airlift tactics.

Encourages the expansion of C-130J simulator training, including training at the 139th Airlift Wing.

Highlights the strategic warfighting training done at the Advanced Airlift Tactics Center at Rosecrans.

$15.5 million to partner with the private sector and academic institutions like the University of Missouri – Kansas City to develop and demonstrate technologies needed for the domestic production of critical materials from domestic mineral sources.

Nearly $700 million for small arms ammunition produced or will be produced at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

Another $1 billion for small arms facilities modernization, including Lake City Army Ammunition Plant 

Wins for Missouri:

Prohibits the Air Force from reducing the A-10 fleet below 93 primary mission aircraft in FY26, and requires a briefing on plans to fully divest the A-10 before FY29.

Ensures there’s a plan to recapitalize the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base

Protect Fort Leonard Wood’s Military Treatment Facility (MTF) by extending the freeze on cutting medical billets to 10 years and requiring a full-year notice with stricter oversight before DoD can reduce or change any MTF services.

$2.59 billion for procurement of B-21 long-range bombers, which will be based at Whiteman Air Force Base

$407 million to manufacture MQ-25 Stingrays in St. Louis

$576 million to modernize and sustain F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs in St. Louis

$50.6 million to produce the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in St. Louis

$33 million for military construction at Whiteman Air Force Base to support the B-21 bomber

$132.6 million for the Joint Assault Bridge, made in Bridgeton

Wins for Our Troops:

Delivers a hard-earned 3.8 percent pay raise for our servicemembers and expands military bonuses and special pay.

Increases the Family Separation Allowance for deployed servicemembers

Authorizes $1.5 billion for new construction of barracks and family housing.

Mandates a plan to meet the government’s unfulfilled legal obligations on health, safety, and environmental hazards in military housing.

Requires an independent evaluation of military housing conditions

The FY2026 NDAA now heads to the Senate for final passage before it can be signed into law by President Trump.

Mission Possible Receives $4,500 Donation

First Interstate Bank recently awarded $4,500 to Mission Possible’s Food Pantry as part of their Community Grant program. Because of the challenging economic and political climate, in November the board of directors of Mission Possible voted to increase the amount of meat/protein given to each food pantry household for a year.   First Interstate Bank agreed to support this effort. Their grant will supply almost 90% of the money needed for the additional meat.

The Mission Possible Food Pantry supplies free nutritional food to households in Worth County experiencing food insecurity.  Clients can visit the food pantry twice a month where they shop for grocery items, produce, bakery, and meat/dairy choices.  They receive an allocation in pounds of food based on their household size. 

Mission Possible Food Pantry receives some food donations and monetary gifts, but it’s adjacent Thrift Store raises most of the money needed to buy food for the Pantry. 

First Interstate Bank has been a regular supporter of Mission Possible with financial grants for the Food Pantry and a companion program called Friday Friends, which supplies food for elementary school children on weekends during the school year.   The local FIB employees recently held a food drive, and they have volunteered on the Mission’s board, in the Thrift Store, Food Pantry and with Friday Friends.  First Interstate Bank strives to make the communities they serve better places to live and work, and they are actively doing that in Worth County.

 

 

Leslie Owens 1953-2025

Leslie Owens, 72, of Delmar, Iowa, passed away Tuesday morning, December 9, 2025, at home, following a prolonged battle with kidney failure.

Leslie David Owens was born August 15, 1953, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the son of Billie and Delores (Jacobs) Owens. After graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Navy for 14 years, completing NDT with certification as a welding inspector. Les married Garland Wake on March 1, 1976. They spent the first 18 years of their marriage in California, where Les continued to serve in the Navy, working in industrial radiology as a welding inspector. They then lived in Missouri for several years before settling in Iowa.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Garland; his children, Christy (Hugo) Lindblom of Arlington, Washington, and Arthor (Angie) Owens of Clearfield, Iowa; 4 grandchildren; a brother, 2 sisters; nieces and nephews.

Leslie’s cremated remains will be buried at sea.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

 

Eagleville Bridge Over I-35 Now Open

The Missouri Department of Transportation contracted Capital Paving & Construction, LLC to complete a bridge deck replacement project on the Harrison County Route N bridge over Interstate 35 near Eagleville. The Route N bridge reopened to traffic Friday, Dec. 12.

The bridge had been closed since Aug. 25.

For more information about this project, visit: Missouri Route 6 and Route N Bridge Rehabilitation over Interstate 35 in Daviess and Harrison Counties | Missouri Department of Transportation.

All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change. MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phones down, slowing down and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.

Get project and work zone news straight to your email by signing up for eUpdates. Information is also available 24/7 by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visiting www.modot.org/northwest.

 

All State Football Selections Released

 

Worth County

Cole Ruby — 1st Team Runningback

Ethan Lininger — 1st Team Defensive Line

Bo Collins — 1st Team Defensive End, Defensive Player of the Year

Lucas Frisch — 1st Team Linebacker

Brayden Stevens — 1st Team Defensive Back

Jon Adwell, Coach of the Year

Sawyer Thurman — 2nd Team Offensive Line

Jude Archer — 2nd Team Defensive Back

Hayden Sanders — 3rd Team Athlete

Pattonsburg

Camden Griffith — 1st Team Wide Receiver

Gavin Humphrey — 2nd Team Wide Receiver