HP leader to lead Public Safety

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Sandra Karsten will soon lead the state Public Safety Department.

Karsten announced she will retire Sept. 1 from the Highway Patrol. She will take over as acting public safety director when Drew Juden leaves the post at the end of the month.

The governor's office had previously said Karsten would continue as superintendent of the Highway Patrol while leading the department.

Gov. Mike Parson did not comment when asked about Juden's departure at a recent press conference. His spokeswoman has said the governor was looking for a different approach in terms of leading the agency but declined to elaborate.

Parson's predecessor, former Gov. Eric Greitens, appointed Juden. But Greitens resigned June 1 after months of controversy.