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Support grows for homeschooled athletes bill in 12th year in Missouri legislature

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missouriindependent.com – Annelise Hanshaw – 2025-03-24 13:00:00

by Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent
March 24, 2025

A bill that would require public schools to offer extracurricular activities to local homeschooled students is gaining traction after more than a decade of consideration by Missouri lawmakers.

High school senior Lydia Meredith, whose family annually drives from Joplin to testify in favor of the bill, told the Senate Education Committee in February it was her fourth time asking for them to pass the legislation.

Meredith was part of a competitive swimming team growing up and enjoyed racing with her friends. But when they reached high school, her friends joined the team at their public school. Meredith, who is homeschooled, was left behind.

“Before me came other Missouri students asking to be given the same opportunity to play for local sports teams, to join band or join a local debate team,” she said. “Every year this bill is not passed is another year the Missouri Legislature is complicit in denying key educational experiences for students.”

She said it was time for senators “to see this bill through to the end.”

For years, legislation seeking to give homeschooled students access to activities in public schools has been filed in Missouri. Most legislative sessions, the bill is passed by a committee but surpassed by other education priorities and never makes it to discussion by either legislative chamber.

The proposal was first offered in 2014, under then-Rep. Elijah Haahr, a Springfield Republican and homeschooled student who later became Missouri House speaker. The legislation didn’t make it to the House or Senate floor until 2021. The chamber gave its initial approval to the bill but never passed it to the Senate.

In 2023, the bill had its longest run, making it into a larger education package that passed the Senate with only two opposed and clearing a House committee late in session.

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This year, the Senate in February unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Ben Brown of Washington, and House leadership referred the bill to its education committee over legislative spring break. This is the fastest the legislation has passed its originating chamber.

The bill has also garnered approval by former critics. 

State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, voted against the legislation in prior years but said during the Senate debate that she had changed her mind after hearing from homeschooling families.

“I really see the benefit of having students, and the more the merrier, be able to participate in activities,” she said.

Nurrenbern previously worried that public school and homeschool students could be held to different standards and access the same privileges.

A school counselor had those concerns in the committee hearing. Other opposition came from a homeschooling group called Family Covenant Ministries, which has concerns about applying the state’s homeschooling law to public activities.

Home educators in Missouri have been split over the years about bills that would expand opportunities for homeschoolers but connect them closer to state government. Some say it could open them up for more state oversight of homeschoolers, of which Missouri has very little.

In a large education package passed last year, lawmakers created a new category of homeschool called family-paced education. This group would be able to take advantage of the state’s education tax-credit program while allowing those wary of governmental intrusion to have separation in state law.

David Klarich, a lobbyist for Family Covenant Ministries, said Brown’s bill should only apply to family-paced education.

Another homeschooling organization, Families for Home Education, spoke in favor of the bill — not because of the extracurricular activities but for a provision that often evades discussion.

The bill seeks to remove a part of state law that describes a declaration of intent to homeschool. The declaration is optional and is intended to reduce truancy investigations.

Kim Quon, a director for Families for Home Education, said the law has had “the opposite effect.” Some families who have sent a letter of their intent to homeschool have reported the district did not remove their children from enrollment records.

“It has spurred many unnecessary discussions and investigations,” she said.

The organization has otherwise taken a neutral stance on the bill’s provisions on student athletes, according to its website.

The bill is one of 28 awaiting a hearing by the House Elementary and Secondary Education committee, of which only two are Senate bills.

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: info@missouriindependent.com.

The post Support grows for homeschooled athletes bill in 12th year in Missouri legislature appeared first on missouriindependent.com

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Anheuser-Busch to end PrideFest sponsorship after 30 years

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10 hours ago

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March 25, 2025

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www.youtube.com – FOX 2 St. Louis – 2025-03-25 05:52:48

SUMMARY: Anheuser-Busch will end its 30-year sponsorship of PrideFest in St. Louis, a key event supporting the LGBTQIA community. The decision comes as PrideFest organizers face financial challenges, with the event already $150,000 short of last year’s funding. The loss of such a historic sponsor is particularly significant as other contributors have also reduced their support. Despite this setback, PrideFest officials are working to adjust the budget and continue the festival, which will take place in June 2025. A fundraising campaign, “45 for 45,” aims to garner community support for the event’s future.

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Pride St. Louis announced the decision Tuesday morning, expressing sadness over losing such a historic supporter. The festival, which is scheduled for June 28 and 29 at Soldiers Memorial Park, is facing a $150,000 funding shortfall compared to last year.

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St. Louis forecast: Beautiful for next couple of days

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11 hours ago

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March 25, 2025

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www.youtube.com – KSDK News – 2025-03-25 04:52:35

SUMMARY: The weather in St. Louis will be pleasant for the next couple of days, with sunshine and mild temperatures. Today and tomorrow will be dry, though a little breezy. However, Thursday’s forecast for opening day calls for showers and the possibility of thunderstorms later in the day. The weekend will bring potential severe weather, with a risk of strong storms on Saturday and Sunday, though the severe risk for Saturday has been downgraded. Overall, enjoy the nice weather while it lasts, but be prepared for some wet conditions later in the week.

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A Weather Impact Alert has been issued for the weekend due to thunderstorms possible. Some storms could reach severe criteria.

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Introducing Busch Stadium’s new foods for the 2025 Cardinals season

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21 hours ago

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March 24, 2025

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fox2now.com – Joey Schneider – 2025-03-24 18:30:00

SUMMARY: Summarize this content to 100 words: ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals are stepping up their food game this season, offering a mix of beloved local spots to national favorites at Busch Stadium. With new additions and revamped concession stands, there’s something to satisfy almost every appetite.

Here’s a brief breakdown of what’s new for this season…

MAYO KETCHUP

Mayo Ketchup, a local Latin food hotspot from St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood, now has a food stand across the Cardinals’ team store outside left field. Fans can enjoy a variety of international selections like Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, plantains and arepas.

CRUMBL COOKIES

Crumbl Cookies, known for its rotating lineup of gourmet cookies, will make its ballpark debut at Busch Stadium with a stand outside right field. The selections will include milk chocolate chip, chocolate cake batter, peanut butter, and a gameday mystery selection.

INTENTIONAL WOK

Intentional Wok is the new name for a stand formerly known as the Asian Café, serving up a variety of Chinese specialties with several protein options over noodles or rice. It is now served at a food station in centerfield as opposed to a small stand.

OUTFIELD GRILL

The Outfield Grill is a ballpark hot dog vendor with new specialty hot dogs topped with brisket, peppers, or sauerkraut.

FREDDY’S

Freddy’s has expanded to a second station in the stadium, adding a second spot focused on shakes and frozen treats, while its original location continues serving burgers and more dinner-like foods.

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WHAT ELSE TO KNOW

In terms of the concession layout, the biggest change fans will notice is in deep center field, where a concession stand near Ford Plaza has been transformed into a spot with three distinct food stations for Intentional Wok, Outfield Grill, and Freddy’s.

For many leaders of Busch Stadium’s food experience, these changes mark a significant step forward from previous seasons, bringing new excitement and variety to the ballpark food scene.

“Cardinal Nation has an expectation for the players on the field, and they also have an expectation of what they want to eat,” said Norman Taylor Jr., Busch Stadium executive sous chef. “We have to infuse local flavors with all-world style baseball because we are a baseball town and also we want to have cool, creative new things for the younger fans.”

“The cool thing for us is to see people’s reactions to the food because it does match baseball,” said Mayo Ketchup owner Mandy Estrella. “I’m super excited for my staff. They’re all from Latin America, so they’re all huge baseball fans. We’re very excited for them to see the fans excited about the food. They spend so much time making it, so it will be very cool to see people and have them excited for what they’re making.”

“Being called by the St. Louis Cardinals and asked to join forces for this season has been amazing,” said Melissa Bohlmann, Crumbl Cookies franchise owner. “We will be the first franchise in a major league stadium, and we’re really excited about it. We’ve got a lot of interest in what we’re going to serve, and we’re excited to release those cookies on Opening Day.”

“We have a great food experience,” said Taylor. “We have everything you want at a baseball game. There’s a reason they call this baseball heaven. When you have the fans come and say this is the best of this, or we’re so happy you had this, it’s one of the best feelings in the world.”

Opening Day is set for Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. First pitch is set for 3:15 p.m. To check on tickets still available for Opening Day, click here.

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