It was a lighter day at practice for the Kansas City Chiefs after three consecutive days of padded practices in the heat, with cooler temperatures today as well. 

Back at full strength in this year's camp has been defensive end Charles Omenihu.  Injuries have limited Omenihu during his time with the Chiefs, but for the first time in Kansas City, he'll be on the field in week one. 

For Omenihu, he says it will be exciting to be able to be on the field week one.

"It is going to be the first time I play in Week 1 since my fourth year in the league. So, I have definitely, these last two years have understood the fact of not taking things for granted. Understood the fact that you got to cherish everything in this game. Because I have been on the end where you’ve had to sit and wait for different reasons," Omenihu tells reporters. "So, I’ll be excited, I’ll be geeked (and) I’ll be ready to rock and ready to go help us get a win.”

Omenihu had just one sack in six games for the Chiefs last year, first hitting the field in week 13. 

With a very young receiving group, when asked who the leader in that room is, Head Coach Andy Reid quickly said it was ninth year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. 

Smith-Schuster says that's a responsiblility he does not take lightly

"We’ve got a bunch of young guys in the room, different ages; and you know, for me it’s a big responsibility,"  Smith-Schuster says. "I take full control. I think I lead by, you know, not just by my words, but by my actions. And, you know, like I said there’s a lot of guys, a lot of experience, different ages, and everyone’s coachable, so, you know, I’m glad to take (on) that responsibility.”

After returning to practice yesterday (Tues), Xavier Worthy was out of practice today, and it was reported he is in concussion protocol, putting the Chiefs down three receivers with injuries to Skyy Moore and Hollywood Brown

The Chiefs are getting a little break after a tough stretch of practices, with three straight days of padded practices in pretty extreme heats. 

Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo says he felt like the team held up pretty well through that tough stretch

"What will be really interesting to me, you know, we had the three hard days, we had today was 10-10-10 – we get the day off. The tough day to come back is the next one, you know after you’ve had the day off so I’m looking for them – if we can ramp it up on that day, I’ll be pretty happy," Spagnuolo says.

The “10-10-10” specifically refers to the team cycling through 10 offensive plays, 10 defensive plays and 10 minutes of special teams work during the duration of the practice session. 

The Chiefs practiced for an hour and a half.  They are off tomorrow and will practice again on Friday at 9:15.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chiefs get relief from heat with lighter practice on Wednesday

Listen to the markets by clicking <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/30143526/30001-markets-230pm.wav">HERE</a>.

September corn closed up 2 1/2 cents and December corn was up 1 1/4 cents. September soybeans closed down 13 3/4 cents and November soybeans were down 13 3/4 cents. September KC wheat closed up 3 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 6 cents, September MIAX Minneapolis wheat was down 1/4 cents.

The U.S. Dollar Index is up 0.47 at 99.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 26.0 points at 44,842.0. August gold is down $30.60 at $3,293.40, September silver is down $0.72 at $37.57 and September copper is down $1.0085. September crude oil is up $0.80 at $70.01, September ultra-low sulfur diesel is down $0.0383, September RBOB gasoline is up $0.0257 and September natural gas is down $0.098.

September corn futures closed up 2 1/2 cents on Wednesday to $3.91 3/4. December futures were up 1 1/4 cents to $4.12 1/4. The corn market enjoyed a day of modest short-covering ahead of month end, with no significantly bullish news spurring on buyers, with the approach to contract lows likely triggering some buy orders along the way.

In Wednesday morning's Petroleum Status report, the EIA pegged ethanol production in the U.S. for last week at 1.096 million barrels per day (bpd), an increase of 18,000 bpd from the previous week, but slightly lower than the same week in 2024. As of Wednesday's report, five weeks and change remain in the corn marketing year. In South American news, Brazil's second corn crop is about two-thirds harvested, while Argentina's harvest was 86% complete as of last week, according to the International Grains Council. U.S. corn export offers remain very competitive on the world stage.

In corn technicals, December futures found buying support Wednesday after trading to within 2 cents of the contract low Tuesday. For now, the unchanged fundamental outlook, featuring many private estimates for a 2025 corn yield well above trend, leaves technical support as really the only incentive for buyers in the marketplace. The bullish target in the near to medium term is the 20-day moving average near $4.20. A break in December futures below support near $4.10 would set $4.00 as the immediate bearish target.

The DTN National Corn Index finished Tuesday at $3.74. Wednesday's futures close and implied corn basis of 15 cents under the September board would indicate the index on Wednesday afternoon to be near $3.76.

September soybeans dropped another 13 3/4 cents to $9.75 3/4 on Wednesday, while November futures were also under heavy pressure, falling 13 3/4 cents to $9.95 3/4. November soybeans fell for the seventh time in the past eight sessions, a route which has added up to over 35 cents of lost value on the contract. It sounds like a broken record, but for now traders are struggling to look beyond the weather with the 15-day outlook now taking us to mid-August with few perceived issues for soybean pod filling. However, storms are always a threat this time of year and will need to be monitored as events arise.

A disappointing feature of the soybean selloff through the last month has been the breakaway from soybean oil in price action. Soybean oil futures continue to grind to the highest prices seen since 2023, but the bullish influence over the whole soybean market has drastically faded over the past month as traders for now don't see the large increase in soybean crush potential through 2025-26 as being enough to offset potentially record yields and shaky export demand if China remains absent.

In soybean technicals, it's safe to say November soybeans posted their most bearish close in months on Wednesday, closing below $10.00 for the first time since April 9, which came immediately following the April 2 reciprocal tariff announcement. If the market can't gain a footing back above $10.00 support, the early April low in the mid $9.70s seems to be the likely bearish target. It will be important to see if soybeans can find any bargain buyers again at this level as was the case in mid-July.

The DTN National Soybean Index finished Tuesday at $9.54. Wednesday's futures close and implied soybean basis of 56 cents under the November board would indicate the index on Wednesday afternoon to be near $9.40.

September Kansas City futures rose 3 1/2 cents on Wednesday to $5.22. Meanwhile, Chicago and Minneapolis futures were lower, with the latter trading to a sixth consecutive lower session and 12 lower out of the past 14.

In their weekly report, the International Grains Council reported Russian wheat harvest at 37% complete, with production thus far roughly 22% lower than in 2024, although yields are expected to improve as harvest moves northward. Meanwhile, a strong recovery in EU crops continues to weigh on world prices, with futures traders seeing little need to price any supply risks into markets.

In wheat technicals, September KC futures again came within a penny of contract lows early Wednesday but mounted a reversal to reclaim support at $5.20 which has been impressive in holding hard red prices through July. The bullish objective is the 20-day moving average at $5.26 1/2 which has been equally stubborn in keeping prices down since mid-June. $5.00 remains the ultimate bearish target on a sustained break below aforementioned $5.20 support.

Commodity markets daily recap

A series of new trade deals between the United States and countries around the world could directly benefit America’s farmers and ranchers. Groups like the American Farm Bureau support the agreements, noting that strong and enduring agreements help connect U.S. farmers and ranchers with global markets. The U.S. Grains Council also applauded the trade deals, including the one between the U.S. and the EU.  

USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand said, “This deal promises to build upon long-established trade with our eighth-largest grains-in-all-forms trading partner, worth more than $1 billion in the 2023-2024 marketing year and our fourth-largest ethanol trading partner.”  The Renewable Fuels Association said the deal comes at a good time as corn growers prepare for what is looking like a record harvest. RFA President Geoff Cooper said, “We stand ready to produce larger volumes of cleaner-burning ethanol and valuable co-products for our customers around the world.”

Ag groups support new trade deals

For the first time since July and August of 2023, the Rural Mainstreet Index, a survey of bankers in areas that rely on agriculture, registered two consecutive months of above growth-neutral readings. It’s the highest level for the RMI since July 2023. Bankers reported very low farm loan delinquency rates over the past six months. Unfortunately, one in four farmers is expected to experience negative income in 2025. 

For the 13th time in the past 14 months, farmland prices sank below growth neutral. Farm equipment sales dropped below growth neutral for the 22nd straight month. Regional exports of agricultural goods and livestock for the first four months of 2025, compared to the same period last year, fell from $4.5 billion in 2024 to $3.7 billion in 2025, for a decline of 18.5 percent. Mexico was the top destination for regional ag exports, accounting for more than 55 percent of total exports.  

Rural Mainstreet Index expands in July

September corn closed down 4 1/2 cents and December corn was down 3 cents. August soybeans closed down 7 cents and November soybeans were down 2 cents. September KC wheat closed down 7 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 8 3/4 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was down 4 cents.

Prices slipped further Tuesday into 2025 lows and in some instances contract lows as another round of mixed crop ratings from USDA on Monday gave bearish traders little incentive to change their current market bias. Market news for Tuesday was slim, but it was reported in the early afternoon that U.S. and Chinese officials had agreed in principle to extend the trade truce which had been set to expire on Aug. 12, with later reports indicating that President Trump would give final approval on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Lutnick said Tuesday that Friday's tariff deadline for other countries is a firm cutoff before reciprocal tariffs go back into place. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar has surged through the first two days of the week to its highest level in over a month on the weekend trade deal with the European Union. Lastly, investors and traders alike will tune in Wednesday for the conclusion of the July FOMC meeting in which the Fed is widely expected to hold interest rates despite growing tension between the Trump Administration and Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Although traders were cautious at the day's initial start, the live cattle complex got back to trading higher after shaking the morning's initial jitters. Today's slight uptick, although it still is less than a dollar's advancement, is enough of a push to lead many of the nearby contracts to new contract highs yet again. No business has developed yet in the fed cash cattle market, and it isn't expected to any time soon, as feedlot managers and packers are likely to go round again this week as both parties want starkly different outcomes for the market. Asking prices are noted in the South at $235 plus, but are still not established yet in the North.

Per the norm here lately, the feeder cattle complex was again rocking and rolling into the day's closing bell as the sky truly remains the limit for the feeder cattle complex right now. Like the live cattle complex, today's advance scores new all-time highs in most of the nearby contracts once again. And regarding demand in the countryside, buyers remain so active in the market that Monday's CME feeder cattle index closed at $329.93.

With cash prices and pork cutouts values lower, it doesn't surprise many that the lean hog complex traded lower. The weakness in the market's fundamentals, mixed with the continued pressure being seen in the futures complex, has gravely affected the complex today as the contracts were all trading $1.00 to $2.00 lower.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/29154319/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The July Cattle on Feed Report offered little relief to customers paying higher prices for beef. That’s despite the cycle of herd liquidation that seems to be slowly ending. There were 94.2 million cattle and calves in the U.S. as of July 1, the lowest mid-year number of cattle since 1973. The USDA also said the number of animals placed in feedlots for weight gain before being sent to packers plunged to its lowest level since 2017. 

Reports show a severe shortage in the world’s largest beef-producing country has sent cattle costs soaring, wiping out billions in profits for packers and driving record-high beef prices in U.S. grocery stores. Dr. Derrell Peel at Oklahoma State University says the latest USDA numbers offer little indication of herd rebuilding or, at least, it’s not very aggressive so far. “The number of heifers in feedlots remained mostly stable.” 

Smallest U.S. cattle herd since 1973

Numerous stakeholders, like farmers, Extension Services, researchers, and policymakers, all rely on the data that USDA has collected for more than 150 years. The data is collected through agencies and programs like the National Agricultural Statistics Service and the Economic Research Service. Decreasing responses to USDA’s farmer surveys are beginning to put the integrity of the data at risk. One of the biggest challenges to getting a good survey response is timing. Unfortunately, many survey collection periods overlap with farmers’ busiest times.

For example, leading up to the June 30 Planted Acreage Report, NASS contacted almost 92,000 farmers during a time that overlaps with the end of planting and spraying seasons for many row crop farmers. A Farm Bureau Market Intel page says USDA should look to examine ways to increase participation and reliability without imposing more burdens on the already too busy growers whom the data is designed to serve. 

Falling farmer responses to surveys are a growing problem

September corn closed down 5 3/4 cents and December corn was down 5 cents. August soybeans closed down 10 cents and November soybeans were down 9 1/2 cents. September KC wheat closed down 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was up 1/4 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was down 3 1/4 cents.

Row-crop markets kept with the common theme for Monday sessions through the growing season thus far with another sharp move lower as traders expect another solid round of crop ratings from USDA later Monday afternoon and are seeing no reason currently to not expect record-setting yields this fall given the weather through the growing season thus far. Outside markets were mostly of positive influence for Monday, although weather-focused ag traders appeared to pay little mind. Equities were higher on the trade deal announcement over the weekend between the U.S. and European Union. Meanwhile, energy markets were mostly higher after President Trump announced he would tighten the window for a ceasefire in the Russia/Ukraine war before Russia would face possible heightened sanctions from the U.S.

Following the slew of positive developments late last week, the live cattle complex hasn't shied away from trading higher as the market has seen a plethora of fundamental support gush into the marketplace. Whether that be last week's bullish Cattle on Feed report, or the noting on the mid-year Cattle Inventory report that no signs of herd build back have started yet, or the steady to $2.00 higher in the fed cash cattle market, or the unseasonal uptick in boxed beef prices. There are almost too many bullish factors currently playing in the marketplace to keep trade off.

After fully evaluating the market's triumphant success last week, it's almost as if traders noted the positive developments and merely said, "say less," as they shot the feeder cattle contracts higher. Once again today, the market's higher push in the futures complex scored another new contract high for many of the nearby contracts.

Following last week's choppy trade, the lean hog complex again skittered sideways into Monday's closing bell. It will be imperative that demand remains strong this week if traders are going to be successfully able to advance the contracts. Packers could be slightly less aggressive in this week's cash market as they bought a sizeable volume last week.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/28145010/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

USDA’s latest grain export sales report, covering the week through July 17, held mixed but mostly solid results for traders to digest. Corn volume led the way once more, staying on the higher end of analyst estimates. Wheat sales improved 50% from the prior four-week average, besting all trade guesses in the process and hitting a “marathon-esque” number. 

Soybean sales struggled, in contrast, after old-crop sales slumped 41% lower week-over-week. Corn exports found 54 million bushels in combined old and new crop sales last week. Old crop sales eased 2% lower week-over-week, while total sales were on the higher end of analyst estimates, which ranged between 19 million and 63 million bushels. Cumulative sales for the 2024-25 marketing year remain noticeably above last year’s pace after reaching 2.37 billion bushels.

Corn sales strong last week, soybean sales struggled

Critics are decrying the reorganization plan for USDA announced last week by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.  In a written statement, Amy Klobuchar, the Democratic ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee, condemned the plan as a “half-baked proposal” and called for USDA officials to appear before Congress. “A reorganization of this scale will impact USDA’s ability to provide critical services to Americans and undermine the agency’s trusted expertise that farmers and families count on … we must have an immediate hearing before more damage is done.”

Rebecca Wolf, senior policy analyst at Food &amp; Water Watch Senior Food, a non-profit research and advocacy group, said, “(The) move further guts the government’s ability to protect public health, the environment and food safety. The real-world consequences will be severe, directly affecting people’s lives.” The reorganization is at least partly a cost-cutting measure, according to Rollins, and the relocated staff could see significant salary reductions due to lower rates paid outside the capital due to differences in the cost of living.

USDA to cut salaries and relocate staff

September corn closed down 1 3/4 cents and December corn was down 3/4 cents. August soybeans closed down 4 1/4 cents and November soybeans were down 4 1/4 cents. September KC wheat closed down 4 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 4 1/2 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was up 1/2 cents.

September corn closed down 9 cents and December corn was down 8 3/4 cents. August soybeans closed down 29 cents and November soybeans were down 14 3/4 cents. September KC wheat closed down 2 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 8 cents and September Minneapolis wheat was down 10 3/4 cents.

Friday's session marked a quiet close to an overall dull week of trade which saw most crop prices drift lower, giving back roughly half of last week's gains in the process as traders clearly are seeing little urgency at this point to commit to sustained buying. Traders currently are betting friendly growing weather forecast through the first week of August means big U.S. yields and ample supplies of commodities by fall 2025. In outside markets, investors have remained confident through the week's trade deal announcements as well as President Trump saying during his visit to the Federal Reserve on Thursday that there are no current plans to attempt to remove Fed Chair Powell from his position. The U.S. dollar is working toward a second session higher while the S&amp;P500 is pressing further into record highs.

The live cattle complex traded slightly higher into Friday's close as traders were optimistic about what this week's fed cash cattle market was going to do. Also lending positive support to the live cattle complex was the fact that the afternoon's Cattle on Feed report is expected to showcase fewer placements and lighter on-feed totals, and don't forget that the semi annual Cattle Inventory report was also going to be released later this afternoon as well. A few bids are currently on the table at $230 in Kansas, $238 live in the North and $376 dressed. Packers are undoubtedly going to need to get more aggressive before the week's end, as they can't afford to go short-bought into next week's trade.

The feeder cattle complex also used the day to trade higher as its contracts were conformably trading well over $1.00 stronger in most of the nearby months. With the continued support of red-hot feeder cattle demand in the countryside, traders have all the support they could ever wish for.

The lean hog complex again traded lower as the market seems skeptical to advance much higher as traders are facing some resistance pressure. Pork demand and cash prices have been supportive this past week, but with traders unwilling to challenge the futures complex's resistance, lower is the only direction for the market to trade.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/25144616/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on sex crime allegations.

Police began an investigation focusing on an incident that occurred at the Walmart Store located at 1920 U.S.73 in Atchison on the afternoon of Thursday, July 24, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

A 17-year-old girl was shopping in the store when she was approached by a man who attempted to solicit her for illicit sexual activity. She was able to walk away from the suspect and quickly went to store employees for safety and reported the incident. 

The suspect, later identified as 51-year-old David Holmgren of Weston, Missouri, left the store. 

An investigation led police detectives to Holmgren. Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested Holmgren on requested charges of commercial sexual exploitation of a child. He turned himself in at Police headquarters, according to Wilson.

Police: Mo. man solicited teen for sex while in Walmart

UPDATED WITH IDENTITY AND MORE INFORMATION

A young
motorcyclist died, another suffered injuries in a multi-motorcycle crash at
North Belt and Blackwell in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

The St. Joseph
Police Department identifies the person killed in the crash as 23-year-old
Tristian Plumley of St. Joseph.

St. Joseph police
officers responded to the scene shortly before two o’clock and found the two
individuals. The other subject, not identified by police, was taken for medical
treatment. Plumley was rushed to the hospital, but died of his injuries.

Initial reports
indicated a third motorcyclist might have been involved in the wreck, but fled
the scene. The St. Joseph Police Department released a photo and asked anyone
with information to contact the department.

The Tips Hotline
at (816) 238-TIPS or the SJPD Traffic Unit at (816) 271-4882.

UPDATE:&nbsp; St. Joseph police report the 3rd motorcyclist has been identified.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Young motorcyclist dies in early morning St. Joseph wreck (UPDATED)

That is the decision before the Kansas
City Chiefs as executives with the Chiefs consider proposals from both Missouri
and Kansas to offset the cost of either renovating Arrowhead Stadium or
building a new stadium.

Chiefs CEO, Clark Hunt, says the team has
made a lot of progress evaluating two really good options.

“I don't want to get into how
close we are making a decision, because I've found over time with stadium
situations, that until they're done, they're not done,” Hunt tells reporters
during his visit to Chiefs Training Camp in St. Joseph. “There's a lot of work,
a lot of moving parts, and we're working through those. Certainly, I would say
we feel an urgency to bringing the process to a conclusion. But that doesn't
mean I can will it to happen in any specified period of time.”

Hunt calls the two offers from the two
states two very good options.

Hunt says the Kansas offer would provide
financing needed to build a new stadium.

“And our priority on the
Missouri side has been a renovation of GEHA Field at Arrowhead,” Hunt says. “So,
those are the two primary options.”

Hunt acknowledges there is an emotional
pull toward Arrowhead.

“I think anybody who’s been
coming to Chiefs games for decades understands what a special stadium GEHA
Field at Arrowhead is,” Hunt says. “And you know, it's fun being here at
training camp and getting to interact with our fans. And I certainly hear from
them in terms of their thoughts. And many of them have grown up going to games
with their dad, their mother, their family, and so it's a very special place
for them. So that'll be part of the calculus for sure.”

Hunt says the team has a sense of urgency,
because the Arrowhead lease expires in the Spring of 2031 and it takes 4 ½ to 5
years to complete a stadium project.

“So, it's important for us to
be able to make a decision somewhat in the in the near term to be able to be on
schedule to have the renovated or new building open in ’31.”

Still, Hunt says the Chiefs must make a
decision that is best for the team’s fans and the organization’s future. Hunt
says the team is intent on getting it right.

Chiefs CEO, Clark Hunt, sees two good options for team's future home

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating an injury accident that occurred at&nbsp;5p.m. on Tuesday in Atchison.

Isaiah Williams, 24, Atchison, was riding his electric scooter eastbound in the 1800 block Main Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Williams lost control of the scooter and crashed. There were no other vehicles involved.&nbsp; A private vehicle transported Williams to Amberwell Hospital&nbsp; for treatment of injuries. Police were then notified and an investigation followed.

Police: Kansas man injured in electric scooter crash

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/sauravrahman/">Saurav Rahman</a>

Nonprofit organizations that provide refugee services in Missouri are pivoting to diversified financial strategies to reduce their dependency&nbsp;on government funding. These organizations are now focusing more on expanding community-based crowdfunding and scaling up revenue-generating programs to address anticipated financial gaps and ensure continued support for refugees.

City of Refuge, a Columbia-based nonprofit that provides services for refugees resettled in mid-Missouri, was notified that 40% of its federal and state funding might dry up by October 2026.

Jackson Efuta, a former refugee and now a staff member at City of Refuge, said witnessing the ongoing funding cuts is deeply painful.

“I have personally experienced how vital these resources are during the most vulnerable time in a person’s life, when they are trying to adjust, heal and survive in a completely new environment,” Efuta said. “It is life-changing, providing emotional, practical and community based help that gives individuals the chance to thrive, not just survive.”

Garrett Rucinski, director&nbsp;of engagement at City of Refuge, said the organization is making plans in case its funding dries up.

“We already have a plan now,” Rucinski said. “It’s to grow the revenue producers, grow the monthly donors.”

Hilary Cohen Singer, executive director at Jewish Vocational Service of Kansas City, said it’s hard to determine a specific number of funds lost, as some programs have been discontinued permanently, others temporarily paused and some funding has fluctuated between being frozen and unfrozen.

“We are increasingly looking to our local community to help provide the vital services for refugees and immigrants to help them integrate into the community,” Cohen Singer said. “We are certainly affected in significant ways by the loss of federal funding.”

David Gonzalez, vice president of development at the International Institute of St. Louis, thinks the future for these service providers is going to be less reliant on government funding, and that is the direction his organization is moving in.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://moora.org/data-reports" target="_blank">Missouri Office of Refugee Administration reported</a>&nbsp;3,272 refugee arrivals in Missouri during the 2024 fiscal year, which extended from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024 — the highest number in the past eight years. According to the American Immigration Council, the&nbsp;<a href="https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/missouri/" target="_blank">total number of refugees in Missouri</a>&nbsp;is estimated to be around 24,600.

City of Refuge launched a campaign to recruit 1,000 donors contributing $50 per month. According to Rucinski, it has reached 20% of that goal within just a couple of months.

The organization is also focusing on its three revenue-generating initiatives — City Boutique, City Cuisine and City Preschool. City Boutique is a thrift shop that sells goods from local donors and refugee artisans; City Cuisine operates a food truck and provides catering services; and the preschool program supports young children’s social and language development.

Together, these initiatives help fund the larger organization, with revenue from the boutique funding 15% of the total annual budget, Rucinski said.

“We are knocking on every door possible, asking for monthly gifts, asking for end-of-year gifts. That’s what every nonprofit is doing right now,” Rucinski said. “We have the benefit of having those three revenue generators, and those revenue generators are going to help&nbsp;us.”

Amid news of future funding cuts, an unexpected opportunity arose for City of Refuge — the building next to its location was listed for sale. The organization purchased it using previously awarded American Rescue Plan Act funds to expand on its services.

“When the building came up, we realized that we could put down the down payment,” Rucinski said. “With tenants still in the building next door, we can continue to operate as we were, while affording the building next door to us, so it is self-sustaining.”

City of Refuge is now planning to use the remaining space in that new building for youth programming and a commercial kitchen, which it hopes will generate additional revenue for the organization, Rucinski said.

“If we keep getting more monthly donors and end-of-year donors, if we keep getting more visitors to the Boutique, Cuisine and people attending our preschool, more sponsors and we continue on the pace that we are at, I feel very positive about October 2026,” Rucinski said.

Jewish Vocational Service of Kansas City continues to support refugees despite the ongoing challenges caused by the federal funding cuts. The organization has adapted by reducing staff and expanding its search for alternative funding sources.

Katie Norman, communication manager at JVS, said that the organization supports approximately 7,500 refugees and immigrants each year, with community integration, health and education.

“We do receive quite a bit of funding&nbsp;from the federal government, so we have been impacted by the cuts and freezes to federal funds,” Norman said. “But we also receive funding from private foundations and the state as well.”

Due to federal funding cuts, JVS has already reduced its services and is now seeking and has received new funding to continue much of its work, Cohen Singer said.

“We did have to make staff reductions, and so we have done that,” Cohen Singer said. “We anticipate being able to continue with our operations at the size and scale that we are certainly into next fiscal year, and that is probably as far as we are able to plan for.”

Agencies like JVS have traditionally been closely involved in the initial resettlement period of refugees. That program has now stopped, and there are no new arrivals associated with it. Following that, there is no funding available for refugee resettlement, said Cohen Singer.

“But that doesn’t mean that our work stops, because the work that we do provides support to people who have been here one year, but also three years or five years or 10 years, depending on what their needs are,” she said.

According to Cohen Singer, the organization now reaches the local community, individuals, foundations, and state and local governments that have programs to support people’s wellbeing, even if the funding is not specifically for refugees and immigrants.

“The people that we serve can benefit from funding that is targeted towards employment or education or youth services or mental health, or any number of things,” Cohen Singer said. “So we are talking to folks that provide funding in all of those areas so that we can bring additional resources into the organization.”

The International Institute of St. Louis, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping refugees, has been forced to make staff reductions and a renewed push for community and private-sector support to adapt to the federal funding cuts.

The organization has been a government contractor since the 70s, working to safely and legally bring refugees to the area and support them by providing housing, education and employment. Last year, the organization served over 3,500 individuals. However, since&nbsp;January, things have been tough due to a roughly $500,000 funding cut.

Gonzalez said that even when federal funding was frozen, the organization still had an agreement with the federal government to bring refugees to the St. Louis region and provide support.

“We immediately found a shortfall of about half a million dollars that we had to come up with,” Gonzalez said. “This money would be used for things like housing.”

To continue that support, the International Institute of St. Louis launched a campaign in February called Keeping Our Promise, aiming to raise $500,000. The organization also made workforce reductions in areas that didn’t have much direct client access, Gonzalez said.

“We had about 125 people here locally, and we had to cut about 60% of those,” Gonzalez said. “So we were down to under 60 staff in February and March.”

Gonzalez said the organization has now been able to bring some staff back, bringing the current team size to around 70 to 75, with some community support.

The annual budget of the International Institute of St. Louis is roughly $24 to $25 million, with 70% to 80% of that coming from federal funding, Gonzalez said.

“That is not a long-term solution for funding, particularly when our funding is at the whims of whoever’s in&nbsp;the White House,” he said. “So we have looked at&nbsp;re-establishing or establishing alternative sources of funding.”

Gonzalez outlined three key strategies for future financing: increasing support from the corporate sector by making&nbsp;them understand the importance of new people in the local economy; uncovering new grant opportunities from organizations that are new but interested&nbsp;in the program outcomes; and engaging the broader community, which values the long-term impact of this work.

“They understood the cuts, they understood what was happening. And so we had a tremendous response to the Keeping Our Promise campaign,” Gonzalez said. “I will say now we’ve had more individual donors already, at this point, halfway through the year, than we had all of last year.”

Last year, the International Institute of St. Louis increased its non-governmental fundraising by 33%, which amounted to over a million dollars, Gonzalez said.

Kindness Begins with Me supports refugee women in the greater St. Louis area, providing English lessons and driving instruction. The organization serves 225 refugees each week.

Half of its annual budget comes from federal funding through the Missouri Office of Refugee Administration, which is about $125,000.

Jessica Pachak, executive director at Kindness Begins with Me, said its funding was temporarily frozen, then came back after the freeze. But it’s still unstable.

“We are going to have to be a mixture of fundraising initiatives, which will be individual donors and then additional foundations,” Pachak said. “So in the past, we relied 50% on federal funds, and now that 50% of federal funds, potentially, is going to need to be replaced with foundation donors.”

Pachak thinks that Kindness Begins with Me is going to be able to raise most of that money but not all.

KC for Refugees, an organization that supports refugees in the Kansas City metro area, is mostly funded by donations from the community and friends. It has not received any federal funding since 2019.

Linda Zemke, president of the Board of Directors at KC for Refugees, said it is planning to expand its program in the coming days.

“We’d like to have more to be able to help the refugees with more things, maybe with rent and emergency assistance,” Zemke said. “But right now we don’t have the money for that. So that would be a good thing to be able to get donations for that, for grants for that.”

Carson Myers, interim executive director at Refuge KC, said its programs are funded 100% by donations from individuals and churches.

“We have experienced an increased bandwidth for operations and support and future planning in the midst of a time of deep need,” Myers said in an email.

This story originally appeared in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missouribusinessalert.com/" target="_blank">Missouri&nbsp;Business&nbsp;Alert</a>, a digital newsroom covering&nbsp;businessand the economy in&nbsp;Missouri.

Missouri refugee service providers adjust financial strategies amid federal funding uncertainty

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 8:30p.m. July 27, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Cadillac sedan on U.S. Highway 75 near 126th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 Jennifer Ann Bailey-Johnson, 41, of Atchison, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony interference with law enforcement.

Kan. woman accused of interference with deputy during arrest

The Kansas City Chiefs held their longest training camp practice today at Missouri Western State University in temperatures that felt upwards of 110 degrees with the heat index.  

Transitioning to a new position in camp is offensive lineman Kingsley  Suamataia, moving from left tackle to a position he's played just once left guard.  

Head Coach Andy Reid says now that players have had pads on for a few days now, he's seen good things from Suamataia 

“He’s done a nice job. He really battled in there, (he) looks solid. (I) really like what we see,” Reid tells reporters following practice 

Suamataia says while the move is going well, it's still a learning process, with things moving much faster at the guard position 

"It’s all just taking my mind from out here to in here and working it from in there and getting the work from Trey (Smith) and the inside guys,” Suamataia says.  “So, it’s been good.” 

Things did get chippy today in the heat with rookies Josh Simmons and Ashton Gillotte going at each other.     

With a packed running back room, Kansas City Chiefs seventh round pick Brashard Smith is trying to find whatever way he can to make the team and make an impact 

Smith spent his career at SMU as a pass catching back, which he could do with the Chiefs, but he has to work his way past Elijah Mitchell and Kareem Hunt first. Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub also likes Smith's potential as a punt and kick returner.  

For Smith, who didn't spend much time on special teams in college, he says he likes the possibility of being a returner.  

"I love the ball in my hands, and I feel like I can make explosive plays,” Smith says.  “So, I’d love to play punt return, kick return, it doesn’t matter just to help the team win I’ll do whatever for sure.” 

Practice at Chiefs Training Camp went just about two hours today.  The Chiefs will have one more practice tomorrow at 9:15 before an off day on Thursday. 

The heat at camp brought a slew of injuries with some leaving practice. Reid reported that linebacker Jeffrey Bassa was out with an ankle sprain. Tight end Jake Briningstool was out with a hamstring injury as was safety Deon Bush. Cornerback Kristian Fulton remains on the PUP list with a knee injury, and cornerback Darius Rush was out with a hamstring injury, 

Cornerback Eric Scott also had a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy had a rough fall during practice and left for the medical tent, but did return to practice, however fellow wide receivers Hollywood Brown and Skyy Moore left practice in a cart, Moore with a hamstring injury and Brown with an ankle injury. Linebacker Cooper McDonald was out of practice with an illness. 

Suamataia settling into new position as Chiefs tackle practice on hot day

St. Joseph has received permission to expand its landfill.

The City of St. Joseph has announced the opening of Cell 8, a
welcomed expansion that will relieve pressure on a landfill that needed special
permission to pack in more trash than normally allowed.

City officials saw the new landfill cell opened after an accelerated
construction period. The first loads of trash were dumped into Cell 8 this
(TUE) morning. The use comes after the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
gave official permission for the city to begin using the new cell. DNR had
previously given permission for the city to pack in more trash in Cell 7 than
normally permitted.

The St. Joseph Landfill has seen a big increase in its use.
The city reports the amount of trash it has received has more than doubled
since 2015 with 105,000 tons dumped at the landfill to 214,00 in 2024.

Work on Cell 8 began three years ago. The city contracted with
MCON to accelerate its preparation.

Preparation of Cell 9 is underway. Cell 8 is expected to have
a lifespan of three to five years.

St. Joseph opens new cell in city landfill

Former Cardinal Sandy Alcantara took the mound at Busch Stadium on Tuesday evening and shut down his former team, as the St. Louis Cardinals fell to the Miami Marlins in a 5-0 shutout evening up the series heading into a rubber match in Wednesday evening's finale.&nbsp;

Graham Pauley put the Marlins up in the second inning with a two run home run, driving in Troy Johnston after his one out single.&nbsp; In the fifth inning, Miami extended their lead on an RBI single by Otto Lopez that scored Kyle Stowers.&nbsp; The final runs came in the sixth inning for the Marlins with Eric Wagamn doubling to bring home Dane Myers, before later scoring on a triple by Xavier Edwards.&nbsp;

Sonny Gray took the loss, falling to 10-5 on the season, pitching five innings and giving up three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and a walk.&nbsp; At the plate, the Cardinals had just four hits in the loss.&nbsp; Jordan Walker was 1-for-3 with a walk. Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and&nbsp;Pedro Pagés also had hits.&nbsp;

St. Louis and Miami wrap up their series tomorrow night.&nbsp; Miles Mikolas (6-7, 4.94 ERA) takes the mound against Cal Quantrill (3-8, 5.05 ERA) for the Marlins.&nbsp; First pitch is again at 6:45pm with coverage being joined around 6:35 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;

Cardinals shut down by former Redbird Alcantara in 5-0 loss

The Kansas City Royals bounced back from a series opening loss to the Atlanta Braves, winning on Tuesday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium 9-6 and evening up the series, setting up a rubber match in Wednesday's finale between the two.&nbsp;

The Royals were powered to the victory taking the lead in the first inning, with two outs Vinnie Pasquantino powering his 18th home run of the season to right field to put Kansas City up 1-0 right away.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Royals extended that lead in the second inning, putting up three more runs on a two RBI double by Jonathan India, driving in Adam Frazier and Kyle Isbel, with India scoring on an RBI single by Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;

In the sixth inning, the Braves got those three runs back, behind two home runs, a solo home run by Austin Riley first getting Atlanta on the scoreboard, before Marcell Ozuna's two run home run that drove in Michael Harris II cut the Royals lead to one.&nbsp; However, in the bottom half of the inning, Kansas City pulled away scoring five runs.&nbsp;

A double by Isbel with the bases loaded cleared the bases, bringing home Frazier, Freddy Fermin, and Randal Grichuk.&nbsp; Witt Jr singled later in the inning driving Isbel home, and after Witt Jr stole second base the shortstop scored on a double from Pasquantino for the final run of the inning, putting the Royals up 9-3 on the Braves.&nbsp;

Atlanta scored one run in the seventh attempting their comeback, Ozuna singling to drive in Eli White.&nbsp; In the eighth inning the Braves added two more runs, with Matt Olson scoring Ozzie Albies with an RBI single, moving Jurickson Profar to second base before Profar scored on a single by White.&nbsp;&nbsp;Carlos Estévez came on in the ninth, giving up only a single on way to his 28th save of the season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Seth Lugo earned the win in his first start since his contract extension, improving to 8-5 on the season, pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and four walks.&nbsp; At the plate, Pasquantino was 3-for-5 with the home run, a double and two RBIs.&nbsp; Witt Jr was 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, and two RBIs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas City and Atlanta wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Angel Zerpa (3-1, 4.15 ERA) will start for the Royals against Joey Wentz (2-2, 5.76 ERA) for the Braves.&nbsp; First pitch will be joined at 1:10 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;

Royals bounce back with 9-6 win over Braves

The Kansas City Royals battled with the Atlanta Braves, falling behind big in the eighth inning, but a late rally fell short and the Royals fell 10-7 to open a the series at Kauffman Stadium on Monday evening.&nbsp;

The Royals opened the scoring in the first inning with two runs, the first coming in on an RBI double by Maikel Garcia, driving in Jonathan India after his leadoff single to the inning.&nbsp; Garcia later scored on an RBI single by Salvador Perez, beating a throw to home plate by Garcia's cousin in right field&nbsp;Ronald Acuña Jr.

The Braves tied up the game in the third inning as&nbsp;Acuña Jr hit a two run home run to left center field off Royals starter Rich Hill, driving in Matt Olson after his two out walk.&nbsp; In the fourth inning, a two run home run by Marcell Ozuna gave the Braves the lead in the game, scoring Ozzie Albies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Another home run extended the Braves lead in the seventh inning, a solo home run by Austin Riley.&nbsp; In the bottom half of the inning, the Royals cut the Atlanta lead to two after back to back doubles by Bobby Witt Jr and Vinnie Pasquantino.&nbsp; But in the next inning, the Braves would pull away, scoring four runs in the top of the eighth inning.&nbsp;

With Nick Allen on after a one out walk, and Jurickson Profar following a single, Olson doubled to drive in the first run of the inning scoring Allen.&nbsp; After Steven Cruz intentionally walked&nbsp;Acuña Jr to load the bases, Riley doubled to unload the bases, scoring Profar, Olson, and&nbsp;Acuña Jr for all the runs in the inning.&nbsp; In the bottom half of the inning, Randal Grichuk hit his first home run in a Royals uniform to help cut into the lead, putting the Royals down 9-4.

In the ninth inning, an RBI single from Profar put the Braves back up by six, driving in Allen after his one out double.&nbsp; In the bottom half, the Royals did start to put together a comeback rally, loading the bases with a double by Witt Jr and walks to Pasquantino and Garcia, before Witt Jr and Pasquantino scored on a single by Freddy Fermin.&nbsp; A sacrifice fly by Adam Frazier was the first out, driving in Garcia and putting the Royals down by three, before Grichuk lined out and MJ Melendez flew out to end the game.&nbsp;

Hill took the loss, falling to 0-2 on the season, pitching four innings and giving up four runs on three hits while walking six and striking out three.&nbsp; At the plate, Garcia was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, and an RBI.&nbsp; Witt Jr was 2-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas City looks to even up the series with Atlanta tomorrow.&nbsp; Seth Lugo (7-5, 2.95 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against former Cardinal, recently acquired Erick Fedde (3-10, 5.22 ERA) for the Braves.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;

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