January 2026

Editor’s note: This is the final of a twopart series examining Novaleigh’s Law, a proposed child safety reform being drafted by Excelsior Springs resident Brianna Smith-Nimley. Today’s story examines the court records, Missouri statutes and procedural gaps the proposal seeks to address. Part One focused on Smith-Nimley’s personal connection to the issue and her work developing the proposal.

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SENIOR NIGHT Paige Barber received a formal farewell the night of Jan. 16 from William Jewell College.

Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on the Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce’s new Lunch and Learn program and its inaugural presentation, “Progress Over Productivity.” Part One focuses on the launch of the series and speaker Shauna Huntington’s background and goal-setting framework. Part Two will examine the practical strategies shared during the session, including time management and weekly planning.

Some victories are merely recorded in history, while others resonate on a deeper level, feeling like pivotal moments even before celebrations end. The Denver Broncos’ overtime win against the Buffalo Bills was meant to be one of those profound victories – a statement of strength. It signified after years of uncertainty, this franchise had rediscovered its true identity. Instead, it became complicated almost immediately. The celebration barely had time to breathe before the news broke Bo Nix would miss the rest of the postseason with an injury. Just like that, the conversation shifted. The win was still real, the score still final, the ticket to the championship game still punched, but the tone changed. Hope turned into hedging and excitement gave way to disclaimers.

Dear Editor, More than 300,000 Missourians have spoken clearly: we want fair maps, not political power grabs paid for with our tax dollars. That’s nearly three times the number of signatures required by law to place a redistricting referendum on the ballot. Volunteers with the People Not Politicians Coalition, made up of everyday Missourians like me, gathered those signatures to demand an end to partisan gerrymandering and to suspend Republicandrawn maps ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

The Excelsior Standard, Jan.23, 2026 LOU ANN BOWLES Lou Ann Bowles, 89, of Liberty, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 13, 2026. Services were held Wednesday, Jan.

The Excelsior Standard, Jan.23, 2026 Claudine C. Alexander, 90, of Excelsior Springs, born July 11, 1935, passed away Friday, Jan.

The Excelsior Standard, Jan.23, 2026 Grace Palmer Evelyn “Grace” (O’Dell) Palmer, 91, passed away Jan. 18, 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Excelsior Springs is eager “to make some noise” this week in the boys portion of the Lawson Invitational Tournament, coach Ian Burch said. “Excited for the opportunity to shake up the bracket,” Burch said Jan.