Good morning, Saint Joseph.

St. Joseph Police Department is urging parents to help keep trick or treaters safe by dressing children in bright costumes, adding reflective tape, and having them stick to sidewalks in groups.

Police Chief Paul Luster said drivers should slow down on Ashland Avenue as cones and electronic signs—set from 5:30 to 9:30—warn of many children on the street.

Volunteers at Greater United Way are assembling 300 meal kits today at their downtown office because SNAP benefits might end on Saturday amid the federal shutdown—if the situation worsens, they will hold another session Friday to pack 600 kits for families facing food insecurity.

Local business leaders met at the Fulkerson Center—at Missouri Western State University—to plan ways to attract World Cup fans for the 2026 event; CEO Nicholas Segura said strategies will focus on Latino consumers and expect more than 100,000 visitors.

The meeting aimed to boost partnerships and growth as businesses prepare for the influx.

The board of education tasked district administration with finding a plan to make Plan E work for keeping all three high schools while limiting school closures after Monday night’s meeting.

Administration will present a layout for the plan on November 10 and board members urged community support through volunteering and potential financial measures.

On Monday night, the School District Board approved a $3,797,414 cut from the 2025-2026 budget to reduce a $1.05 million overage and save $2,747,974.

The cut took $3,334,728 from the central office and removed $271,600 from secondary schools and $64,362 from elementary schools (staffing savings helped fund the reduction) (the move comes as the administration works to fix its budget issues).

Missouri Western State University and St. Joseph Catholic Academy signed an agreement today to give Bishop LeBlond students direct admission if they meet the minimum academic criteria+ each approved student will have an advisor to help with college enrollment, easing the process for many first-generation students.

Spine and Sport Physical Therapy in St. Joseph is celebrating National Physical Therapy Month, which began in 1981 to show how physical therapy helps maintain movement and strength.

Founder Frank Shonkwiler said his team helps people recover from injuries and post-surgery setbacks—treating regular visits like key check-ups to boost overall wellness.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services warned consumers on Tuesday that 7-OH products — sold as gummies, candies, tablets, powders, and more — are untested and highly addictive due to a potency much greater than that of natural kratom, with research showing they have 13 times the strength of morphine.

Halloween Party & Costume Contest

7 p.m. — Do It A’Ginn Event Hall — $15 entry or $25 per couple — Celebrate Halloween with a costume contest and enjoy snacks and BYOB fun.

Sugarplum Festival

5-4 p.m. — Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art — Free entry — Celebrate the season with handcrafted goods, local delicacies, and unique gifts at this beloved holiday fair.

Footloose: The Musical

7-9 PM — Central High School, St Joseph, MO — Tickets available — Experience the energetic journey of a young man fighting against the ban on dancing in a small town.

Wine & Beer Walk

12-4 p.m. — Allied Arts Council — Tickets required — Sip, shop, and stroll through Downtown St. Joseph with tastings and entertainment from over 40 locations.

Mamma Mania - ABBA Tribute

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Performing Arts Association — Cost not specified — Experience the high-energy tribute to ABBA with dazzling costumes and timeless hits from the 1970s.

MIAA Volleyball Championship

12 PM – 8 PM — St. Joseph Civic Arena — Passes required — Come witness thrilling volleyball matches as teams compete for the MIAA championship title.

Turkey Trot 2025

9-11 a.m. — St. Jo Frontier Casino — Registration fees vary — Wobble before you gobble at this family-friendly 5K run/walk.