ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) — When First Alert 4 entered the meeting room in New Athens, Illinois, folks were already screaming at Rep. Mike Bost, (R-Illinois), about a number of recent developments in farming and at the national level.

Bost had originally called the meeting to discuss his proposals for solar energy-focused bills that would affect solar panel installation on farmland, something he says needs oversight.

For the constituents who gathered outside the Memorial Building on Chester Street, it was their chance to ask Bost about things on their mind — and tempers flared quickly.

Bost is a member of several House committees, including the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Chairman); and the Committee on Agriculture. He is not a farmer himself, he was a truck driver in the past.

Meeting attendees talked about everything from veteran’s issues to the Veteran’s Affairs layoffs in recent weeks; others talked about transgender rights; others demanded answers about why farming was being impacted by tariffs.

A number of locals were asked or escorted from the small building — some shouting obscenities, others clapping in support.

This is a common occurrence these days across the country as elected officials attend local meetings.

Bost did eventually speak about the bills he was proposing, but only after a number of locals left or quieted down.

The details of the PANELS Act, one of the two, “would not prevent a farmer from leasing their property for solar panels, but it would reduce the economic incentive for companies to do so,” the representative’s website states.

First Alert 4 was the only TV station present and was able to obtain an exclusive interview with Rep. Bost about some of the concerns expressed at the meeting.

TELECONFERENCES AND MEETING WITH CONSTITUENTS

BOST STATEMENTS ON VETERAN’S ADMINISTRATION CUTS

Avery Martinez covers water, ag & the environment for First Alert 4. He is also a Report for America Corps member, as well as a member of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. His coverage ranges from corn farms to hunting concerns, and local water rates to rancher mental health.

Copyright 2025 KMOV. All rights reserved.