The Missouri Electric Cooperative held its annual fish fry earlier this week. In what has become a staple event for the Co-op’s, and a favorite of many in Jefferson City, the event displayed what is so loved about the co-ops, their desire to serve their community and do it with a smile.  

Electric cooperative employees from across the state came together to host the annual Your Local Electric Cooperative Fish Fry in Jefferson City on April 23. Nearly 900 guests, including legislators, state officials, cooperative members and Capitol visitors, were served more than 600 pounds of freshly fried fish and sides during the event right on the front lawn of the Missouri state capitol. 

“The Fish Fry is more than a good meal — it’s a symbol of who we are as electric cooperatives,” says Caleb Jones, CEO and executive vice president of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. “For more than 20 years, this tradition has brought us together to share our mission and connect with the people we serve, including those who impact our communities.”

Missouri electric cooperatives began in the 1930s and 1940s during the New Deal era, a time when many rural communities faced significant challenges in accessing reliable and affordable electricity. Disregarded by profit-driven utility companies, local farmers and residents formed electric cooperatives to pool resources and build the infrastructure necessary to deliver power to their communities. By the 1950s, these cooperatives were instrumental in transforming rural Missouri, facilitating economic growth and improving quality of life. Today, they serve millions of residents, focusing on providing dependable power, fostering community engagement, and promoting sustainable energy practices.

The Fish Fry, first held in 2002, is now an annual tradition that celebrates the partnership between Missouri’s electric cooperatives and the communities they serve. The event allows electric cooperative leaders to share the mission of electric cooperatives: delivering reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses across the state.

“We want to send a huge thank you to Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative for organizing the event and all the members of our co-op family from across the state for joining us in Jefferson City to serve those working at and visiting the Capitol,” Jones said. “This event allows cooperative leaders to share the electric cooperative mission: delivering reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses across the state.”

The fish fry is one of many outreach efforts by the state’s electric cooperatives to keep the lines of communication open between cooperatives and the people they serve.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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This transition not only threatens the economic stability of farmers in a state where corn is a key agricultural product, but also raises concerns about the broader implications for rural economies that depend on this industry. 

Corn isn’t just a crop; it’s a lifeline for countless families. It feeds livestock, becomes an essential ingredient in our favorite foods, and, most importantly, fuels the ethanol industry. With Ford planning to abandon flex-fuel options, the impact could be significant, putting not only farmers’ livelihoods at risk but also shaking up the entire agricultural landscape that many rural communities depend on.

The Ford F-150 is the single most popular truck in America with 2024 marking it as being the best-selling vehicle in the country for 42 years. Missouri is also home to Ford’s F-150 manufacturing plant in Claycomo. 

Ford’s 2023 F-150 model is expected to be the last to use corn-based ethanol flex-fuel by changing from a Flex Fuel option for the F-150’s V8 engine to electric. 

Ford is moving away from ethanol flex-fuel options for its F-150 trucks as part of a broader strategy to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transition towards more sustainable technologies. 

This shift isn’t just about creating cleaner vehicles; it’s also a response to stricter environmental regulations and a growing consumer push for greener alternatives. While these efforts are laudable on a global scale, they could leave local economies, especially those tied closely to agriculture, in a tough spot.

“If Missouri’s farm families want to buy a new American-made Ford F-150 FFV that runs on American-made fuel, they can’t,” said Brad Schad the CEO of the Missouri Corn Growers Association “Ford no longer offers this option on any vehicle. If, as the Ford slogan claims, their trucks are Built For America, the company is turning away from its roots and ignoring the largest group of Americans that buy them.” 

Ford Motor Company’s decision to transition away from ethanol flex-fuel vehicles poses a significant threat to Missouri’s vital corn industry, which ranks among the top corn-producing states in the U.S., generating approximately 600 million bushels annually. Corn is not only the most widely cultivated crop in Missouri but also accounts for about 30% of the state’s total agricultural revenue, underscoring its importance to both local farmers and the broader economy. 

Moreover, Ford’s shift away from flex fuel could reduce demand for Missouri corn, jeopardizing thousands of agricultural jobs and harming the economic stability of rural communities that depend on this critical crop.

The change could also deter investment in Missouri’s agriculture. As the company focuses on alternative fuels and electric vehicles, reduced emphasis on flex-fuel options may lead to less investment in ethanol-related infrastructure and production. 

This transition could undermine the viability of corn farming in Missouri, limiting resources and funding for corn cultivation and distilleries. Consequently, the shrinking ethanol market could hinder growth in the local agricultural economy, adversely affecting thousands of farmers and their livelihoods.

“Ford’s shift from FFV to the lackluster sales of electric vehicles (EVs) doesn’t fit with a farming model,” added Schad “Coincidentally, while California has passed vigorous EV standards, it leads the nation in E85 sales. The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, along with corn checkoff programs from Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, are leveraging resources to build ethanol demand in the fastest-growing market for E85. This coalition has partnered with Pearson Fuels, the largest E85 distributor in California, since 2021. And efforts are paying off. Sales of E85 have exploded from just over 40 million gallons in 2020 to a record-setting 118.5 million gallons in 2023. Consumers in California are proving the demand is there when E85 is competitively priced.” 

Schad and Missouri corn have been working to address this issue before it begins to take a serious toll on the state’s corn growers. 

​​”We are asking Ford Motor Company to stand with today’s farm families and renew its support for Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs),” Schad said. “We are ready and willing to collaborate with Congress to reinstate key FFV incentives that continue to harness the potential of today’s biofuels. At a time when this country is focused on building domestic demand, increasing biofuels production will help our rural, state, and national economies.”

While it is uncertain if Ford will reverse its decision or if a deal can be reached in the next Farm Bill proposed by Congress it is clear that Missouri Corn and many rural communities will see a negative impact from this choice. The stakes are high. A decline in the corn market isn’t just a hit to farmers; it’s a blow to the rural communities that thrive on agriculture.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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A pressing issue highlighted during the rally was Missouri’s alarming childcare crisis, which has left 97% of the state’s counties—amounting to 112 out of 115—designated as childcare deserts for infants and toddlers. This stark statistic underscores the necessity for immediate and effective legislative action. Advocates voiced strong support for Governor Mike Kehoe’s proposed enrollment-based payment system for childcare subsidy providers. This initiative aims to bring subsidy payments in line with the private market, providing more stable funding for essential childcare services. By alleviating some of the financial burdens facing childcare providers, the proposal seeks to enhance their capacity to meet the growing demands of families across Missouri.

The day also served as a platform for advocates to propose the establishment of a comprehensive childcare exchange program. This innovative initiative is designed to foster collaboration among state officials, local communities, employers, and employees, ultimately bridging gaps that currently exist in childcare access. The proposed program aims to create tailored solutions to the significant childcare shortages in various regions, adapting to the specific needs of local families while ensuring they have access to quality care. Such cooperative frameworks are intended to strengthen the community’s overall quality of life, emphasizing that addressing childcare shortages is not solely a family issue but a community and economic one.

“The overwhelming turnout today demonstrates how critical these children’s issues are to communities across our state,” stated Brian Schmidt, Executive Director of Kids Win Missouri. He elaborated, stating that the current crisis in child care is not just a personal struggle for families, but a pressing economic concern that impacts the entire state. Schmidt emphasized, “When nearly every county in Missouri is a childcare desert for our youngest children, we are confronting a crisis that threatens the very fabric of our economy.” 

He urged that the proposed childcare exchange program would facilitate collaboration between employers and state officials, allowing for targeted responses to local childcare needs. Additionally, he characterized the combined initiatives with Governor Kehoe’s proposed payment changes as comprehensive solutions that have the potential to address a crisis costing the state billions.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry has backed the urgency of these initiatives by revealing economic data—indicating Missouri loses approximately $1.35 billion annually due to a lack of affordable childcare options. This financial drain stems from decreased workforce participation, lowered productivity, and increased employee turnover, all detrimental to the state’s overall economic health. Schmidt asserted, “The economic case for tackling our childcare crisis could not be clearer. When businesses, communities, and the state collaborate through programs like the child care exchange, we can craft solutions that benefit everyone—families gain access to quality care, employers retain valuable workers, and our state economy recaptures billions in lost productivity.”

Throughout the day, advocates shared compelling personal stories that illustrated the far-reaching effects of childcare shortages and healthcare access issues on families in their communities. Their narratives served to underscore the essential message that investing in children equates to investing in Missouri’s workforce and, by extension, the state’s economic future. In a notable interaction, a small group of advocates met with Governor Kehoe to express gratitude for his commitment to childcare initiatives while discussing the ongoing challenges faced by providers in the state. These discussions revealed a united front among advocates and legislators, firmly dedicated to tackling the challenges surrounding childcare access.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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The initiative, which he championed during his 2024 gubernatorial campaign, reflects his vision for effective law enforcement and aims to ensure that resources and oversight are adequately managed at the state level, ultimately fostering a more cohesive approach to crime prevention and response in St. Louis.

The history behind the State’s oversight of the St. Louis Police Department is a long one. Dating back to 1808, the department is one of the oldest in the United States and was less of a department and more a militia. Consisting of four men, the SLPD was established to protect the growing settlement of St. Louis. 

As time went on, the city grew and a larger force was needed to keep the peace. During the Civil War, the strategic importance of St. Louis was vital to both Union and Confederate forces. With Union forces ultimately controlling the city, the police department was brought under state control. 

For more than 150 years after that control, St. Louis’s Police Department had remained under state control until 2013 when a ballot initiative succeeded in handing control over to the local government. 

National and state perceptions of crime in St. Louis has been uniformly negative over time. Over the past few decades, St. Louis has consistently stayed in the top 10 of various lists ranking the most dangerous cities in the United States. In many lists, St. Louis has reached number one and stayed close to that spot over time. 

Although St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and other city officials have offered statistics that prove that violent crime has been trending down in the past decade and reports differ on their methodology and their credibility, the public perception of the city’s crime has yet to budge for many Missourians and Americans alike. 

By returning the SLPD back to state control, the legislation creates a six-member board to supervise the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, consisting of five citizens appointed by the Governor and the Mayor of St. Louis. 

Among the governor’s appointees, four will be voting members required to reside within the city, while the fifth appointee will serve as a nonvoting member and can live either in the city or nearby. 

The Mayor of St. Louis will also hold a voting position on the board.

In its final day of voting in the House, the bill also saw the addition of an emergency clause measure. This will mean that after signing it, Governor Kehoe will have 90 days to appoint the board members. 

HB 495 not only includes legislation for the creation of the board that will run the St. Louis PD but also includes increased penalties for the sex trafficking of minors, increased penalties for the distribution of fentanyl to minors, prohibition of stunt driving, and more. 

During the Democrat-led filibuster in the Senate, Senator Karla May and her colleagues managed to remove the rioting provision from the bill as well as increase the minimum funding from 22% to 25%. Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman also managed to attach an amendment that would remove shackles from pregnant female inmates. 

Earlier today, the Governor held the signing of the bill in his office in the Capitol. 

“It’s a big day for our office and our team with me today, but it’s a bigger day for Missouri citizens and a win for our law enforcement,” stated Governor Kehoe during the bill signing. “We want St. Louis and the entire region to thrive, it’s important for the rest of the state and we know that the ripple effect from this will make that happen.” 

The Governor was also joined by a slew of legislators, public safety officials, members of law enforcement, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey. 

“Like Governor Kehoe, I also have significant attachments to St. Louis,” said Representative Brad Chris, who was the bills handler in the House. “Today begins the ascent of St. Louis to becoming what it once was.” 

In the Senate, Senator Nick Schroer and Senator Travis Fitzwater led the charge on this bill. 

“There was a promise that we made to voters before coming into office this year that we were going to make this state safer for Missourians,” stated Senator Schroer. “Today with the signing of this bill, we are going to make good on that promise.” 

Senator Fitzwater also added, “The loss of population and businesses in St. Louis is not sustainable,” the Senator also thanked Senate Majority Floor Leader Tony Luetkemeyer for his hard work in passing this bill. “Behind the scenes, I don’t know if anyone carried more weight without getting enough credit than Senator Tony Luetkemeyer.” 

With St. Louis soon to be added to the list of state responsibilities, Attorney General Andrew Bailey noted that his team can be counted on to continue making Missouri safe. 

“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership and for making this a priority,” Bailey noted. “I am excited to welcome the St. Louis Police Department as our new clients for the law firm of the state of Missouri. You can count on us for consistent, quality, and competent  representation.” 

With the passage and signing of HB 495, the control of St. Louis’s police department is now on its way to finally being returned back to the state. The question now will be, can Governor Kehoe’s bold plan to tackle crime in St. Louis be successful? Only time will tell, but for now, the Governor has received a major win that could shape the future of the Show-Me State.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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Negotiations are still going on between MU Health Care and Anthem regarding commercial contracts that impact over 100,000 patients. These agreements encompass employer-sponsored plans, Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, and HealthLink coverage. 

MU Health Care and Anthem have been involved in a contract dispute primarily revolving around reimbursement rates and the terms of their agreement. The disagreement arose when MU Health Care sought to negotiate increased payment rates for services provided by their hospitals and clinics. Anthem argued that the proposed rates would lead to increased healthcare costs which they argue would affect their ability to deliver high-quality medical care to patients. 

The talks so far have led to a serious breakdown between the two parties and now sees the serious potential for many patients to face higher out-of-pocket expenses if the contract were to lapse.

As a result of the dispute, Anthem’s members may experience disruptions in their access to MU Health Care’s services. If the contract is not renewed, patients might have to seek care from alternative in-network providers, potentially limiting their options and impacting continuity of care. 

MU Health Care wants to see a rate change between 20-30% over three years to help cover rising costs in the healthcare industry. 

“We are doing everything we can to continue our participation in the Anthem network in order to maintain our patients’ in-network access to MU Health Care, but a new, fair network agreement is essential to our ability to provide high-quality, local care to our patients,” said Dr. Steve Whitt, MU Health Care’s chief medical officer. “Physicians and caregivers at MU Health Care wake up every day with the goal of living our mission to save and improve lives. That work is only possible when companies like Anthem step up alongside us through a fair contract that reflects our state’s challenging health care and economic environment.”

Anthem argues that if it were to give into MU Health Care’s demands the increased cost would lead to higher costs for its clients. One example being a premium increase of $1,200 for State employees.

“MU Health Care justified their demands by pointing to other hospital systems and challenges,” stated in an op-ed written by Stephanie Vojicic, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri.”We agree that costs in health care are rising — but the responsibility of any business is to manage cost pressures and not simply pass them on to those they serve, which is what MU Health Care is seeking to do.

Anthem previously addressed the ongoing negotiations, announcing that MU Health Care will exit its Medicare Advantage network effective April 1. 

Current Anthem Medicare Advantage members receiving care from MU Health will soon be informed about their options, which include maintaining continuity of care at MU Health or selecting alternative in-network providers in Columbia and across Missouri. 

With the open enrollment deadline for Medicare Advantage set for March 31 and the previous enrollment period for 2025 commercial coverage having closed on January 31—reopening on November 1 for 2026—there are concerns that some patients may postpone routine care until the enrollment period restarts.

The termination of the contract would not only affect those who are employed by the University itself. However, in the chance of a terminated contract, it will not affect Mizzou Pharmacy retail services or patients enrolled in Healthy Blue Medicaid and University of Missouri Student Advantage plans. 

Termination would also affect those outside of the university including many in rural communities. 

Rural Missouri over the past several years have seen a huge hit in access to quality healthcare 

According to the Department of Health and Senior Services “Of the 161 licensed hospitals in Missouri, 67 (42%), including five (5) behavioral health hospitals, are located in rural counties. Of those 67 hospitals, 62 are hospitals with medical/surgical beds, five (5) are behavioral health hospitals, 31 are Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), which have 25 beds or less and provide a limited scope of service.” 

Hospitals in rural communities have seen a major decline. Since 2014, roughly 20 rural hospitals have been closed due to various reasons. 

Mizzou has made it clear over the last few days that termination of the contract with Anthem is almost certain to happen. The effects of this cancellation will be felt by more than Columbia but will hurt a great deal of people across mid-Missouri and possibly beyond. 

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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The bill was crafted to have Jefferson City’s policies mirror federal law with federal civil rights laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. 

The sponsors of the bill believe that DEI programs could “deny, discredit, and undermine the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system.” However, they made sure to reaffirm the city’s commitment to being an equal-opportunity employer.

DEI has been seeing a serious routing in Missouri lately. Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18 which directed all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and also ensured compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law. The Executive Order also barred the use of state funds for any DEI programs as well as prevented agencies from using DEI methods in their hiring practices. 

The University of Missouri and Missouri State University have also chosen to discontinue their DEI departments and programs. 

On a national level, President Trump also signed an executive order taking aim at DEI programs in the federal government.

“President Trump ran on a platform of ending waste, fraud, abuse and ending DEI programs,” Scott Spencer told the  Missouri Times. “Over 66% of our community voted for Trump and that agenda. The people already have spoken on this issue. We were trying to implement a policy that the people wanted but unfortunately some on this council didn’t agree.” 

Councilman Scott Spencer is rumored to be a possible contender for the House’s 60th District, replacing current term-limited Representative Dave Griffith.   

Despite seeing serious setbacks across the state, the bill was defeated by the Jefferson City Council. The members who voted against the bill were the 5th Ward’s Mackenzie Job, the 4th Ward’s Chris Lueckel, the 3rd Ward’s Treaka Young, the 2nd Ward’s Aaron Mealy, Mike Lester and the 1st’s Ward Randy Hoselton.   

The 1st’s Ward Randy Hoselton argued that this was not the right setting to have this debate, stating “this isn’t the state legislature this is city council. And usually whenever it comes to large broad social issues those are defined by those levels of government. Your federal, your state, you know here we deal with issues that are unique to Jefferson City.”

“President Trump is exactly right. DEI programs only divide us by race, waste our money, and result in underperformance and dangerous incompetence.” Stated the 4th Ward’s Derrick Spicer. “Taxpayer Funds should never be used for divisive, political policies like DEI.” 

Councilman Derrick Spicer is currently running to replace outgoing State Senator Mike Bernskoetter in Senate District 6. 

The members who voted in favor were 5th Ward Mark Schwartz, 4th Ward Derrick Spicer, 3rd Ward Scott Spencer and 1st Ward Jeff Ahlers. 

The council is expected to hold two more council meetings before the upcoming city council elections which will be held Tuesday, April 8.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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Representative Scott Cupps sponsored House Bills 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, and 1605. The bills, if you can’t believe what your eyes are seeing, are all targeted at naming various Missouri landmarks and one government institution after Representative Bishop Davidson. 

These include renaming all named bridges as the “Bishop Davidson Bridge”, renaming the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to the “Bishop Davidson Curriculum Distribution Department”, renaming Taum Sauk Mountain to the “Bishop Davidson Summit”, renaming the Katy Trail as the “Bishop Davidson Trail”, and renaming the Missouri State Fair as the “Bishop Davidson Fair”. 

On the surface, it seems like a simple joke. Anyone who knows Representative Cupps has witnessed his charismatic, humorous, and good-natured disposition. The likelihood of these bills gaining any traction is near zero. 

But those who are aware of the situation regarding the House’s Vice Chair of the Budget Committee may see it as being a passive-aggressive way for Cupps to needle Representative Bishop Davidson, who was chosen to fill the role of the Vice Chair to one of the House’s most influential committees. 

It’s not a new thing for representatives to be upset with not getting spots on certain committees, nor is it a new thing to see representatives find ways to vent their frustrations. 

The question now is will this last minute joke possibly bleed over into caucus unity, something the House has already struggled with this session during their recently contested leadership race. House leadership has managed to keep their caucus together despite obvious ideological divisions between some in leadership and other, newer, members of the House.

Cupps and Bishop even have some identical legislation with both of them each filling the same nine bills for the 2025 session. It is unclear if this was intentional or planned by one of them or perhaps both.

It should also be noted that in terms of the amount of bills filed this session, Cupps has filed a lot more legislation than he usually does. So far, Cupps has filed 20 bills this session. This is compared to the zero bills he filed last session, the five bills he filed in the 2023 session, the six bills he filed in the 2022 session, the four bills he filed in the 2021 session, and the three bills he filed in the 2020 session. So far, Cupps has filed more bills this session than all his previous sessions combined. 

Notably, in the almost five sessions these two Representatives have spent together, none of Cupps’ previous legislation mentions Davidson. Nor have the two ever filed the same legislation during the same session before this one.

While no one can say with 100% certainty why Representatives Cupps and Davidson have the exact same legislation or why Cupps seems to want to name everything in the state after Davidson, what is for certain is that something interesting is going on in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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For the last three years, Jefferson City has hosted an evening of amazing food and southern hospitality brought right to the capitol. The first two years focused on the areas found in Senate District 25 and the Bootheel, and this year was special by growing the event to cover Cape Girardeau, Perryville, and more communities from Senate District 27. 

The focus of the event is to highlight Southeast Missouri and what the region contributes to the state’s economy and well-being. Not only does the southeast of Missouri have some of the best food in the state, with interstate, rail, the Mississippi River and ports, and the richest farmland in Missouri, the bootheel area is vital to the future success of the Show Me State. Regional cooperation is key to promote rural Missouri. 

Along with Senator Bean and Senator Burger were also joined by Representatives covering areas in their districts. They were joined by  Representative Cameron Parker, Representative Hardy Billington, Representative John Voss, Representative Dale Wright, Representative Tony Harbison, Representative Bryant Wolfin, Representative David Dolan, Representative Donnie Brown, Representative Steve Jordan and Representative Keith Elliot, and Representative Barry Hovis. 

The State Representatives made sure of some foods and their districts are known for – such as tossed rolls from Lambert’s Cafe in Sikeston, ribs from Hickory Log in Dexter and Dexter BBQ.

Every year, they also present a lifetime achievement award to someone who has been working in the bootheel. This year’s lifetime achievement award winner was Lloyd Smith from Sikeston, who helped turn the 8th congressional district red – growing the Republican party in southeast Missouri. In previous years the award winners were Mark Richardson from Butler County and Charlie Kruse from Stoddard County. 

The event was well attended last night with a record turnout even after moving to a larger event space at the Capitol Plaza. Several statewide officials were in attendance with Governor and First Lady Kehoe both making an appearance. State Treasurer Vivek Malek and Lt. Governor David Wasinger also attended. 

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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Previously, Lakin served as both the CEO of Objective Media and also a partner at Victory Enterprises. Prior to working for Objective Media, Lakin served in various roles in the Missouri legislature serving Speakers of the House, the Majority Floor Leader, and other House positions. Lakin also works as a strategist for the House Republican Campaign Committee. He also oversaw the launch of Victory Enterprises digital division and has won the top Pollie Award for Best Digital Media Campaign for a GOP firm.

“Joe’s commitment to leading Objective Media is a pivotal moment for our agency,” said Managing Partner Nick Foppe. “Our entrepreneurial experience gives us a deep understanding of what it takes to build and grow successful brands. Combined with our team’s expertise in crafting and executing impactful integrated campaigns, we go beyond being just an agency—we are true strategic partners, dedicated to helping our clients navigate and thrive in this transformative era of media and marketing.”

Founded in 2020, Objective Media partners with its clients  to develop results driven marketing strategies. Specializing in integrated multi-channel campaigns that engage consumers, Objective Media combines strategic insight with creative excellence. 

“As technology continues to drive unprecedented change in media, I’m excited to lead Objective Media into its next phase of growth,” said Lakin. “Nick and I understand the challenges our clients face because we’ve navigated them ourselves as entrepreneurs. With our talented team and hands-on approach to client partnerships, we’re uniquely positioned to help brands adapt, innovate, and achieve their growth goals.”

Objective Media is emerging as a dynamic force in marketing With several years of political and entrepreneurial experience, Lakin and Foppe are seeing to it that Objective Media continues to see results. 

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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Founded in January of 2018 in Jefferson City, Missouri, the firm started as a joint venture with Husch Blackwell.

“Husch Blackwell has been an incredible platform for our group, and we are grateful for the past seven years together. Our accelerated growth, from five offices and 42 clients in 2018 to 13 offices nationwide and more than 400 clients today, made it difficult for both firms to continue to accommodate and service such a large and diverse range of clients,” said founder Andy Blunt “We have more than doubled in size since we started, and we are excited to continue on that trajectory as an independent firm.”

Hartley Blunt Strategies is one of the largest firms of state lobbyists in the country. Spanning across states such as Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee, Texas and several more, the firm sets itself apart from its rivals. With a governmental affairs group that is ranked as one of the best in Washington DC, and a high-class public affairs practice in St. Louis, Hartley Blunt Strategies has seen major success over the course of its time in politics. Former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt chairs the firm’s Leadership Strategies Advisory Services group in Washington – a specialized executive team that provides its clients comprehensive advice, tailored to the needs of its customers. 

 “We launched Husch Blackwell Strategies in response to client needs, and it has been very successful, stated Jamie Lawless, Husch Blackwell Chief Executive, “The seven years since, both firms have grown significantly, and that success has led to greater challenges in managing client relationships between the firms. We both felt it was best to operate separately from each other.”

Hartley Blunt Strategies is set to continue providing high-quality consulting for its diverse array of clients including some of America’s most iconic brands.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

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