THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED FROM A PREVIOUS STORY

St. Joseph Police have charged Romeloe Kevonte Ballard in a shooting incident early Sunday afternoon.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.

Officers encountered Ballard near the doorway of an apartment and after refusing commands, he was taken into custody.  Officers found several shell casings and the firearm was recovered. 

 Ballard  was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon  by the Buchanan County Prosecutors Office. Ballard is currently being held at the Buchanan County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

The St. Joseph Police Department would like to thank residents for their cooperation as officers safely resolved the incident.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt,&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ,&nbsp;and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

One arrested in Sunday St. Joseph shooting incident 

The Gene Field Road Bridge over Interstate 29 in St. Joseph is closed until futher notice. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced that the bridge will be closed after it was struck by an oversized load.  Crews are currently evaluating the condition of the bridge.  

Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge have been closed, so drivers will need to find an alternate route.  The closure will not affect travel along I-29.  

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Gene Field Road bridge closed after being struck by oversized load

The Northwest
Missouri Labor Council has elected Zack Dunn as President.

The council also
elected Daniel Robinson as Vice President, stating the elections usher in a new
era of leadership focused on rebuilding worker power and strengthening the
voice of organized labor across northwest Missouri.

The elections come
after the death of Mike Veale in August. Veale served as President of the
Northwest Missouri Labor Council for the last 11 years.

“Mike was a
courageous leader who stood shoulder to shoulder with members of the community.
He never hesitated to jump in and offer his help whenever the need arose. Mike
was a kind man and a strong leader,” Jake Hummel, President of the Missouri
AFL-CIO, said in a written statement. “Mike has left big shoes to fill and I’m
confident Zack’s leadership will carry that commitment forward.”

Dunn now serves as
Government Affairs Director for the Missouri and Kansas Laborers District
Council of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). Dunn, a
Savannah native, began his career in 2018 as Regional Field Director during
Missouri’s historic campaign to defeat “right-to-work” legislation. Under his
leadership, Northwest Missouri organized 200 volunteers who knocked on more
than 15,000 doors and delivered victories in 16 of 17 counties on Election Day.

“This is about
rebuilding strength from the ground up,” Dunn said in a written statement.
“Northwest Missouri has always had a proud union history. From the men and
women who built our roads, bridges, and schools to the workers who keep our
communities running today. We’re going to honor that legacy by building an
organization that fights for all working people, union and non-union alike.”

&nbsp;The Northwest Missouri Labor Council, an
affiliate of the Missouri AFL-CIO, represents union members across eleven
counties. The Council brings together labor unions, trade organizations, and
community allies who collectively advocate for fair wages, strong benefits, and
the dignity of work.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Dunn elected president of Northwest Missouri Labor Council

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

A two vehicle crash on northbound I-29 early this morning is being investigated by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. 

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office reports at nine this morning near the interchange of I-29 at Frederick Avenue a two vehicle crash involving a caution vehicle trailing an oversize load and a pickup occurred.  Both drivers reported mild to moderate injuries, with one being hospitalized. 

The crash forced traffic to slow down as northbound I-29 was closed down to one lane near the crash until it was cleaned up.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Two vehicle crash on northbound I-29 leaves two injured

A St. Joseph student is the
first student-researcher at the University of Dubuque in Iowa to receive a
prestigious fellowship.

The University of Dubuque reports environmental
science major Tatum Levendahl, who is a junior, is the first student-researcher
selected for the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies. The
university reports Levendahl learned about field research and conducted surveys
as well as collected, prepared, and cataloged specimens over the summer. She has
systematically surveyed a variety of fungi, arthropods, plants, and more at the
University of Dubuque’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and
Retreat Center.

“One of the most exciting organisms to add to the collection was the
Asiatic Dayflower. The bloom only lasts for one day, so I was really lucky to
run into it when I did,” Levendahl said in a written statement issued by
Dubuque University. “I also love to find parasitic insects. They’re so
interesting to learn about, and it almost feels like I’m uncovering a mystery
when trying to identify them.”

David Koch, PhD, assistant director of Wolter Woods and Prairies,
curator of the Wolter Woods and Prairies Herbarium Collection, and associate
professor of environmental science, was impressed by Levendahl’s observational
skills.

“Tatum located rare and hard-to-find specimens for the herbarium
collection,” Koch said in a written statement. “In the third year of the
herbarium collection project, Tatum has accounted for around 20 percent of the
collection’s total species count at a time when finding new species should be
difficult.”

The university reports Levendahl continues to organize her collection
and will add new specimens as the academic year progresses. She will wrap up
her experience with the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship in April when she
presents her findings in a poster at the annual meeting of the Mississippi
River Research Consortium in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies is
sponsored by Pat (Wild) Franzen (C’68) and Dick Franzen (C’67).

St. Joseph student 1st to receive Dubuque University fellowship

Maximize Northwest
Missouri has received national recognition.

Communities of
Excellence and Resilience [C.O.R.E.], a national nonprofit organization,
recently awarded bronze recognition to Maximize NWMO, the regional vitality
initiative of The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri. 

West Kendall, Florida
and Coral Springs, Florida earned silver. Coral Gables, Florida received gold
recognition.

“These communities
exemplify what happens when people come together across sectors to create
shared systems for improvement,” Stephanie Norling, President and CEO of
C.O.R.E. aid in a written statement. “Each one shows us that resilience and
excellence are not separate goals – they’re what make communities stronger over
time.”

The communities
participated in C.O.R.E.’s Assessment and Recognition Program, where
cross-sector teams describe their processes, partnerships, and key results
using The C.O.R.E. Guide’s criteria of questions on leadership, strategy,
residents and other stakeholders, data measurement and management, people
resources, operations, and culture.

The communities
were recognized during the annual Fall Conference in Denver.

Maximize NWMO earns national recognition

Buchanan County
sheriff’s deputies cited 21 registered sex offenders for violated the state
Halloween statute this year.

The Buchanan
County Sheriff’s Office reports it conducted 252 Halloween sex offender compliance
checks Halloween night. Deputies found 210 compliant with 37 at work. Seventeen
homeless sex offenders reported to the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office in
downtown St. Joseph until 10:30 that night.

In addition to the
21 citations for violating the Halloween statute, two were cited for residency
violations.

State law
prohibits registered sex offenders from engaging in Halloween activities,
including passing out candy to trick or treaters.

Buchanan County
has 306 registered sex offenders.

The compliance checks
Halloween night were led by Investigator Kenny Shryock and Sex Offender Analyst
Cindy Ownby. Thirty-four deputies were assisted by three sheriff's office administrative
aides, one member of the St. Joseph Police Department, and a Deputy United
States Marshal.

21 Buchanan CO sex offenders cited for violating Halloween statute

Water releases
into the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam will soon be reduced.

The United States
Army Corps of Engineers reports releases will be reduced late this month as
navigation along the Missouri comes to an end. Releases are currently 25,500
cubic feet per second (cfs).

“We will continue
to make releases from Gavins Point Dam to provide flow support at a level 4,500
cfs less than full service, through the end of the navigation flow support
season, which ends on Dec. 1 at the mouth of the Missouri River,” John Remus,
chief of the USACE, Missouri River Water Management Division, said in a written
statement released by the Corps.

The Army Corps of
Engineers will begin reducing flows from Gavins Point around November 22nd.
The Corps plans to reduce releases by 3,000 cfs each day until reaching a rate
of 15,000 cfs. The Corps says the rate of reduction will then slow to 1,000 cfs
every five days until reaching the winter release.

“Based on the
Sept. 1 Mainstem Reservoir System storage check, releases from Gavins Point Dam
for the 2025-2026 winter will be at the minimum rate of 12,000 cfs,” said
Remus.

The Corps reports October
runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 1.1
million-acre-feet (MAF), which is 89% of average. Runoff was below average in
the Fort Peck, Garrison, and Fort Randall reaches and above normal for the
remaining reaches. Based on the most recent Drought Monitor, about 54% of the
Basin is currently in abnormally dry or drought conditions. 

Reservoir studies
indicate System storage will be below the base of the Flood Control Zone at the
start of the 2026 runoff season, according to the Corps.

Releases from Gavins Point Dam to be reduced later this month

One person is in
custody as St. Joseph police investigate a Sunday shooting.

The St. Joseph
Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon
Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered
signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.

The department
says officers secured the area. No one seems to have been harmed in the shooting.

St. Joseph police investigating Sunday shooting

December corn closed up 2 1/2 cents and March corn was up 2 1/2 cents. January soybeans closed up 13 cents and March soybeans were up 13 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed up 7 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 8 cents, December MIAX Minneapolis wheat was up 6 1/4 cents.

Row-crop markets moved higher in a quiet, low volume session Monday as traders look to square positions ahead of the first USDA Crop Production and WASDE report in two months, due out on Friday at 11 a.m. CST. In outside markets on Monday, the headline news was a successful vote to pass the funding bill on Sunday evening, which should put the U.S. government on a path to reopening this week.&nbsp;

Cattle markets have rallied higher through the morning with active gains seen in both live cattle and feeder cattle futures Monday following the weekend break. The increased volatility over the past couple of weeks seems to have added fuel to the fire, but extreme volatility of this nature seems to create more market shifts than solve any long-term market issues. Live cattle futures continue to surge higher following additional buyer support quickly flooding the market.&nbsp;Feeder cattle futures are leading the market higher Monday, with indications that additional support may continue to add buyer support as the week continues. Feeder cattle futures are locked $9.25 per cwt higher, and a close at these levels could lead to increased volatility Tuesday.

Lean hog futures are generally higher Monday morning, with nearby contracts posting triple-digit support based partially on support in pork values. But the wide swing higher in cattle trade is also spilling over to the hog complex during morning trade activity. Limited fundamental shifts are seen in the lean hog market at this point, with prices still searching for a sense of market support following firm pressure over the last few weeks.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/20194004/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The United States Geological Survey has added both phosphate and potash to the federal list of minerals considered critical to national security and economic stability. The decision—published Thursday by the U.S. Department of the Interior—raises the total number of designated critical minerals to 60. 

Phosphate had been omitted from earlier drafts despite pleas from farm and fertilizer industry groups that it is vital for crop production and vulnerable to international supply disruptions. 

Potash, which the U.S. relies on Canada for about 97 % of its supply, had been on the 2018 list but removed in subsequent updates. 

Supporters say the change addresses feedstock shortages, volatile fertilizer markets and supply-chain risks for U.S. agriculture. Under the designation, projects to mine, process or recycle these minerals may be eligible for federal tax credits, streamlined permitting and priority-consideration for grants or loans.

Phosphate, Potash Added to Critical Minerals List

A federal judge on Thursday ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to immediately release full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November, criticizing the agency for delaying payments that left millions without food aid. 

U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. ruled that USDA must use Section 32 nutrition funds to supplement the SNAP contingency account to cover the full amount needed this month. He rejected the government’s claim that doing so would endanger funding for school meals, calling that argument “incredible” and “contrary to the evidence.” McConnell said Section 32 isn’t limited to child nutrition programs and noted that about $19 billion would remain after transferring roughly $4 billion to SNAP — enough to fund school meals through spring. USDA had warned that only partial benefits would be available amid budget delays. 

The agency filed an appeal to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals shortly after the ruling.

Judge Orders Release of SNAP Benefits

Chinese buyers have begun some modest purchases of U.S. wheat and sorghum as China’s cabinet on Wednesday announced it will suspend a 24% retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods and roll back duties of up to 15% on some American agriculture shipments starting Nov. 10, while retaining a 10% base levy. 

The move, unveiled after high-level talks between the United States and China, signals a thaw in agricultural trade tensions. But for key U.S. exports such as soybeans, the benefit remains muted: Beijing will keep a 13% duty on U.S. soybeans, making them less competitive than Brazilian supplies. 

Reuters reports U.S. soybean futures responded positively, reaching their highest level since June 2024 on hopes of renewed Chinese demand. Traders caution, however, that significant recovery in U.S. shipments hinges on China lifting the remaining premium.

China Resumes Some U.S. Ag Purchases

December corn closed down 1 1/2 cents and March corn was down 1 cent. January soybeans closed up 9 1/2 cents and March soybeans were up 8 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 3 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 7 3/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 1 cent.

December corn closed down 4 1/4 cents and March corn was down 2 cents. January soybeans closed up 1 3/4 cents and March soybeans were up 2 cents. December KC wheat closed down 5 1/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 6 1/4 cents and December Minneapolis wheat was up 5 cents.

Row-crop futures caught themselves for the most part on Friday following Thursday's drastic risk-off session. The soybean complex was notably optimistic heading into the weekend with higher soybean, meal, and oil futures following heavy selling on Thursday. Meanwhile, corn futures held mostly steady while wheat futures moved lower again under technical pressure as well as follow-through disappointment in only light volumes being reportedly purchased by China over the past week. Energy prices were mixed Friday with higher crude futures but diesel prices reversing after hitting the highest price since midsummer. Meanwhile, the technical unease remains in the stock market, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping again Friday for the fourth time this week after low consumer sentiment was reported by the University of Michigan on Friday and investor fears of a tech and AI-driven reversal mount.

After another downward waning week, where the live cattle market traded lower and lacked enough support in either realm (technical or fundamental), the live cattle contracts were finally trading a bit higher as traders have seemed to deem that the market has traded lower enough for the week. No new cash cattle trade has developed throughout the day, and at this point, it's looking like the bulk of the week's trade could essentially be done with. So far this week, Northern dressed cattle have traded mostly at $355 to $362, with most at $360, which is $2.00 higher than last week's weighted average. Southern live cattle traded at mostly $232, which is $4.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average.

Although still cautious, the feeder cattle complex traded slightly higher into Friday's closing bell, seeming to follow in the same direction as the live cattle market. Sales are still feeling a heightened level of anxiousness in the countryside, as a lower trend has been noted for the week in most classes.

Yes, pork cutout values may have been higher this morning -- up over $2.00 higher -- but it's a little too late to have much effect on the lean hog market this week, as traders haven't seen true support and stability from consumers to feel safe in trading the contracts higher. It's likely that this lower trend will continue into the early portions of next week.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/11/07134322/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The Fertilizer Institute celebrated the inclusion of phosphate and potash on the just-released Final List of Critical Minerals. Originally compiled in 2018 and then revised every three years, the list is published by the United States Geological Survey and includes mineral commodities critical to the U.S. economy and national security.

Phosphate and potash are now critical minerals

A recent USDA memo sent to state agencies on Wednesday said Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants will get 65 percent of their typical monthly benefits, and not the 50 percent as first stated. This is due to a record-long government shutdown. The change only affects benefits scheduled to be distributed this month and isn’t permanent. Full benefits are expected to resume once the government shutdown ends. 

Reports said USDA is issuing partial benefits this month to comply with a court order requiring USDA to tap into a SNAP contingency fund. “USDA did a deeper analysis and determined that maximum allotments only need to be reduced by 35 percent, rather than 50 percent, to deplete the SNAP emergency fund,” said Patrick Penn of USDA. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said USDA’s initial plan would have provided only about $3 billion in benefits and been a cut of about 61 percent.

USDA revises November SNAP distribution plan

December corn closed down 6 1/2 cents and March corn was down 6 1/2 cents. January soybeans closed down 26 3/4 cents and March soybeans were down 24 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed down 17 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 19 1/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 3/4 cents.

Both financial and agricultural markets faced widespread selling pressure on Thursday with several moving parts to point to as a source of general nervousness across the trade. First, row-crop futures had become very overbought in the short term from a technical perspective with momentum based indicators likely piling into sales as prices turned lower throughout Thursday morning. Second, futures traders tend to want answers now rather than later and with the government shutdown it is very difficult to gauge if China has been buying U.S. soybeans and to what degree and the rapid growing expense of U.S. soybeans on an FOB port basis may have at last caught up with the futures market on Thursday. In other news, Wednesday's hearing by the Supreme Court regarding the legality of the Trump administration's sweeping tariffs has added a layer of volatility to the market, although a decision is still pending in regard to that.

The live cattle complex traded mixed into Thursday's noon hour, and then went to the downside by the closing bell. As traders would like to trade the contracts higher and successfully did so in the deferred months, but the nearby contracts remained under light pressure as there was still some uncertainty milling throughout the marketplace, and ended up getting the better of the market. No new cash cattle trade has developed today, but packers will need to secure more inventory before the week's over. So far this week Northern dressed cattle have traded at mostly $360, which is $2.00 higher than the previous week's weighted average, and Southern live cattle have traded at mostly $232, which is $4.00 lower than last week's weighted average.

The live cattle complex was able to shake the doggishness of the marketplace for a short time, but the feeder cattle complex wasn't as confident as all of its contracts are trading lower into Thursday's closing bell. Unfortunately, feeder cattle sales could likely soften a tick in the countryside as buyers react to the board.

Again today, the lean hog complex&nbsp;was adding another downward leg to its chart as the market lacks support. Yes, cash demand was strong this week, but without consumer demand improving, traders aren't willing to show the complex much interest or support.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/11/06143006/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity market daily recap

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. isn’t ready to open its border once again to cattle imports from Mexico. Despite that, Rollins said Mexico’s efforts to contain the flesh-eating New World Screwworm are progressing well. The border has been largely closed to imports of Mexican livestock since May. Rollins recently traveled to Mexico City to meet with officials, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, to tell them that the White House is focused on reopening the border. 

“We’re still not in a spot where I’m comfortable opening up the ports, but I think with every day that goes by, we’re getting a little closer,” Rollins said. She wants to know for sure that both countries have overturned every stone, that every nuance is understood, and they’ve deployed every tool in each country’s toolkits. Rollins didn’t give a specific timeline for reopening the southern U.S. border to Mexican cattle imports.

No plan yet to open U.S. to Mexican cattle imports 

After leaders between the two countries met last week, China will suspend retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports, including duties on some farm goods. While Beijing confirmed that this week, U.S. soybeans still face a 13 percent tariff. Reports said China’s tariff commission of the State Council is eliminating duties of up to 15 percent imposed on some U.S. agricultural goods on November 10. Tariffs of ten percent introduced in response to President Trump’s “Liberation Day” duties will stay in place. 

Traders say that despite the tariff cut, importers looking at U.S. soybeans still face a tariff of 13 percent, which makes U.S. shipments more expensive for commercial buyers compared to Brazil soybean shipments. “We don’t expect any demand from China to return to the U.S. market with this change,” one trader at an international company. “Brazil is cheaper than the U.S., and even non-Chinese buyers are taking Brazilian cargoes.” 

China buys more Brazilian soybeans

🎥FDA will lift warnings on hormone therapy for menopause 

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal hit-and-run that killed a KU student have made an arrest.

After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver, identified as 36-year-old William Klinger, involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence.&nbsp;

The crash killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.

Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene.&nbsp;

Deputies later found her early Friday morning. A passerby spotted her on the side of the road around 3:35 a.m., according to Diepenbrock.

According to the sheriff's department Klingler was arrested around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday. He is being held on requested charges of reckless involuntary homicide. He has a previous conviction for Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Equipment: Knowingly and without authorization removing or disabling in the case of a Felony, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;

McGrain, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, was a pre-med student at KU.

Driver accused in hit-and -run that killed KU student has history of crime

WILSON COUNTY —Two adults and a child died in an accident just before 6a.m. Monday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Hyundia Sonata driven by Adam Lane&nbsp;Brooks, 21, Fredonia, was westbound on Granby Avenue at U.S. 400.&nbsp; The driver failed to stop at the stop sign. A northbound Peterbilt semi driven by Marvin Leroy&nbsp; Lea, 59, El Dorado struck the car.

A passenger identified as Kylie Michelle&nbsp;Brooks, 21, Neodesha, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was transported to&nbsp;Country Side Funeral Home. EMS transported a 2-year-old male passenger to Wesley Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;EMS transported the driver to Wilson Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Lea was not injured. The occupants of the Hyundai were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kan. man, woman and 2-year-old killed in car, semi crash

WASHINGTON —Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported more deadly strikes on an alleged drug boats.

On social media, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced,&nbsp; On Sunday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations."

"These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route in the Eastern Pacific." "Both strikes were conducted in international waters and 3 male narco-terrorists were aboard each vessel. All 6 were killed. No U.S. forces were harmed." "Under President Trump, we are protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people.

This was the 19 reported U.S. attack on drug vessels with the death toll at 75 since the Trump administration launched a campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters.

🎥US military kills 6 in new attacks on drug-running boats

CALLAWAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8p.m. Sunday in Callaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy S-10 driven by a 61-year-old Maryland Heights man was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of the Route A / Route Z&nbsp; exit.

The pickup traveled off the right side of the road, rolled and the unrestrained driver was ejected.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after ejected in rollover accident

HENRY COUNTY —A Kansas woman was injured just after 3p.m. Saturday when her kayak capsized on Truman Lake.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 45-year-old Olathe woman&nbsp; &nbsp;was overcome by wind and waves&nbsp;about two miles south of the Sparrow Foot Boat Ramp. The boat capsized and she fell into the water. She swam to the nearest shoreline. EMS transported her to Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton.&nbsp;

She was not wearing a safety device, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Kan. woman hospitalized after kayak capsized on Mo. lake

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>

WASHINGTON — Seven U.S. Senate Democrats and one independent&nbsp;joined Republicans on Sunday night in advancing legislation to reopen the government and temporarily keep it afloat until the end of January, after a record-breaking shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada voted with most of the GOP to advance the stopgap measure through a 60-40 procedural vote.&nbsp;

Sen. Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also voted in support.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fetterman, King and Cortez Masto had already voted with Republicans on the previous 14 votes to reopen the government. Until Sunday, Republicans who control the chamber did not have the 60 votes needed to clear the filibuster threshold.

GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has consistently voted against the temporary funding measure, again cast a “no” vote.

The deal would also unlock full-year funding for a vital food aid program that serves 42 million Americans and bring back federal workers fired by President Donald Trump when the government was closed.

It does not include language addressing skyrocketing premiums for those enrolled in individual health insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, a major sticking point for Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said late Sunday on the Senate floor that he commits to holding a separate vote on health insurance subsidies no later than the second week of December.

In a press conference following the vote, Rosen said Democrats have “an opportunity also to put Republicans on the record on the ACA.”

“Are they committed to doing this? Are they committed leaders who said, ‘You can come to the table on health care once the government was open’? And now he must follow through. If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs for working families, they have the perfect opportunity to show the American public,” Rosen said.

New text of a temporary stopgap funding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/continuing_appropriations_act_2026_bill_text.pdf" target="_blank">deal</a>&nbsp;released Sunday night proposes to keep the government open until Jan. 30. The bill would also reinstate all federal employees who were fired after the shutdown began, restoring their jobs with back pay, and prohibit any further layoffs until the temporary funding expires.

As part of the agreement, three fiscal year 2026 funding bills will ride along with the package, including the appropriations bills for agriculture programs, veterans benefits, military construction and Congress.

Several Senate Democrats left a lengthy closed-door meeting earlier Sunday night upset that the deal does not include anything to address rising health care premiums, on which the party has staked the 40-day shutdown.&nbsp;

Subsidies for those who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace expire at the end of this year.

“So far as I’m concerned, health care isn’t included, so I’ll be a no,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin also issued statements following the caucus meeting declaring they would vote no. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also told reporters on his way out of the meeting that he’s opposed to the deal.

Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said on social media he would oppose it. ”I’ve been clear that we need real action to stop the devastating health care cost increases that are hurting millions of families,” he said.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., issued a statement expressing support for the agreement, highlighting that Senate Republicans have promised a vote on extending the health care subsidies.

“This deal guarantees a vote to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, which Republicans weren’t willing to do. Lawmakers know their constituents expect them to vote for it, and if they don’t, they could very well be replaced at the ballot box by someone who will,” Kaine said.

The Sunday night vote does not mean the government will reopen right away.

The legislation must make its way through Senate procedural steps and then gain approval from the U.S. House, which hasn’t been in session since Sept. 19. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, attended the Washington Commanders football game with Trump Sunday night in Landover, Maryland.

Trump briefly spoke to reporters upon news of the deal after leaving the NFL game, telling them, “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending.”

Nearly a million federal workers have missed paychecks during the shutdown, and food benefits for the poorest Americans stopped flowing at the beginning of November.&nbsp;

Air travel has also become snarled as the shutdown has dragged on, and air traffic controllers are under pressure without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration began&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/here-are-airports-hit-faa-pullback-air-traffic-3300-flights-daily-be-canceled" target="_blank">cutting flights</a>&nbsp;Friday at 40 major airports across the U.S. The cuts are set to ramp up to a 10% decrease in air traffic.

The deal includes provisions that Democrats say the Trump administration sought to shrink or cut altogether, including fresh fruit and vegetable subsidies for mothers with children and monthly food boxes for low-income seniors.

The legislation would direct $8.2 billion to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as WIC, a roughly $600 million increase over last year’s program amount.

During the shutdown, the administration used $150 million from a U.S. Department of Agriculture rainy day fund to keep the program going. The bill would replenish the contingency money.

The bill also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and children’s nutrition programs, including subsidized school breakfast and lunch, and the availability of food during summer school breaks.

Democrats on the Senate Committee on Appropriations say it included “key funding for SNAP and other critical nutrition programs as President Trump fights in court during the government shutdown to cut off benefits for 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP to feed their families,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY26%20Ag-FDA%20Conference%20Bill%20Summary.pdf" target="_blank">bill summary</a>.&nbsp;

The USDA directed states to begin releasing the November SNAP benefits onto recipients’ benefits debit cards after a Rhode Island federal district judge and circuit court ordered the Trump administration to do so last week.&nbsp;

Trump appealed the order to the Supreme Court, which stayed the decision. A department memo Saturday told states that released the full benefits to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/states-told-trump-administration-undo-full-snap-benefits-paid-november" target="_blank">take back</a>&nbsp;a portion of them.

The bill would also direct money to the SNAP emergency contingency fund.

Hemp farmers are sounding the alarm about a provision in the bill that they say would “effectively eliminate the legal hemp industry built under the 2018 farm bill,” according to a Sunday statement from the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America.

Lawmakers are “slamming the door on 325,000 American jobs and forcing consumers back to dangerous black markets,” the industry group’s executive director Brian Swensen said.&nbsp;

Swensen also added: “The hemp industry has been ready and willing to work on responsible regulations – age restrictions, testing requirements, proper labeling — but instead of collaboration, the industry is getting a misguided prohibition through backdoor appropriations deals.”&nbsp;

Several House Democrats, including a top appropriator, criticized the deal.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans for the proposal Sunday night in a statement, saying House and Senate Democrats have “waged a valiant fight” for the last seven weeks.

“It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House of Representatives a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. As a result of the Republicans refusal to address the healthcare crisis that they have created, tens of millions of everyday Americans are going to see their costs skyrocket,” Jeffries said.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top House Democratic appropriator, said she did not agree to the release of the veterans and military construction bill as an attachment to the deal.

“Congress must invest in veterans, address the health care crisis that is raising costs on more than 20 million Americans, and prevent President Trump from not spending appropriated dollars in our communities,” DeLauro, D-Conn., said in a statement.

Rep. Angie Craig joined other House Democrats in slamming the Senate negotiations on social media.

“If people believe this is a ‘deal,’ I have a bridge to sell you. I’m not going to put 24 million Americans at risk of losing their health care. I’m a no,” said Craig, of Minnesota.

US Senate advances bill to end record-breaking government shutdown

After an extensive investigation, which included examining evidence and responding to numerous tips from the public, on Sunday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspected vehicle and driver involved in Thursday’s hit-and-run crash outside of Lawrence that killed 20-year-old University of Kansas student Elsa McGrain, according to sheriff's department spokesman Officer&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.

Elsa was struck and killed while running in the 1700 block of E 1500 Road, on November 6.&nbsp; After striking Elsa, the suspected driver left the scene. The Sheriff’s Office worked diligently on this case and has made an arrest, according to Diepenbrock.

Detectives are working with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office on charges in the case.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked area law enforcement agencies for their assistance in this investigation, as well as members of the community who responded with possible tips and shared information.

Sheriff: Driver arrested for hit-and-run that killed KU student

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

Following a late Friday emergency ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration has instructed states that authorized full November nutrition assistance benefits to return a portion, another unprecedented reversal for a program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.

A Saturday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/updated-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap-november-benefit-issuance11-8" target="_blank">memo</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service said states should fund 65% of benefits for users of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, often called food stamps.&nbsp;

Those that had authorized full payments in line with earlier administration guidance should “immediately undo” that action, according to the memo.

“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” the memo said. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Please advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum.”

President Donald Trump and top administration officials have said they cannot pay full SNAP benefits during the government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and instead, under court orders, are using a contingency fund to make partial payments.

Saturday’s guidance from Patrick A. Penn, the department’s deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, marked the latest turnaround in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-issues-november-snap-benefits-then-asks-supreme-court-intervene" target="_blank">a chaotic few days</a>&nbsp;for the agency, states that administer SNAP and the millions of Americans who depend on it to afford food.

Penn wrote that, in light of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-temporarily-blocks-november-snap-payments" target="_blank">the Supreme Court’s order pausing lower court rulings</a>&nbsp;that USDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">must pay full November benefits</a>, the administration was returning to its position that SNAP benefits should be funded at 65%.&nbsp;

States — including Wisconsin and Kansas — that issued full benefits did so under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220869-snap-november-2025-benefit-guidance-update/" target="_blank">a Friday memo</a>, also signed by Penn, that said states should authorize full payments for SNAP, consistent with a Thursday ruling in federal court.

Kansas, Wisconsin, Oregon govs express dismay

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, in a late Friday statement expressed disappointment with the administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26220987-supremecourtnov72025/" target="_blank">appeal to the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;and noted the state had authorized full payments earlier in the day for all eligible Kansans.

“These Kansans, most of them children, seniors or people with disabilities, were struggling to put food on their plates,” she said. “Why the President would petition the highest court to deny food to hungry children is beyond me. It does nothing to advance his political agenda. It does not hurt his perceived enemies. It only hurts our most vulnerable and our reputation around the globe.”

In a Sunday statement, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, flatly refused to try to claw back any authorized benefits. The state acted in compliance with a court order, he said.

“After we did so, the Trump Administration assured Wisconsin and other states that they were actively working to implement full SNAP benefits for November and would ‘complete the processes necessary to make funds available,’” he said. “They have failed to do so to date.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said her state will not comply.

“Oregon acted lawfully, given the federal court’s directive and the communications with the USDA, and my decision to ensure SNAP benefits went out quickly was in direct alignment with my food emergency declaration,” said Kotek, a Democrat. “I am disgusted that President Trump has the audacity to take taxpayers’ money away from them when they are in crisis. I have a question for the President: What would he prefer to spend the money on over groceries for people in need? This is ridiculous, immoral, and Oregon will fight this every step of the way.”

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement:&nbsp;“Let’s be clear about what this is —&nbsp; the Trump administration is demanding that food assistance be taken away from the households that have already received it. They would rather go door to door, taking away people’s food, than do the right thing and fully fund SNAP for November so that struggling veterans, seniors, and children can keep food on the table. It is incomprehensible, incompetent and inconsistent with our values as Americans.”&nbsp;

The earlier order, from U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island, told the department to use sources outside the contingency fund to make full November payments by Friday. The order was appealed to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

But Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, acting on behalf of the high court,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26221041-25a539-admin-stay/" target="_blank">granted</a>&nbsp;the administration’s request for an emergency stay on Friday night, speeding up the process for what Jackson said would then be an “expeditious” decision by the appeals court but also changing things yet again.

Local

Region

Sports

Agriculture