 The Civic Arena missed out on hosting the MIAA basketball championships to Kansas City’s Municipal Arena, but another conference cashed in on using the venue in the future. 

The Great Lakes Valley Conference chose a bid from the St. Joseph Sports Commission to host its men’s and women's basketball tournaments in downtown St. Joseph, starting in 2027.  

Executive Director Brett Esely says his office put together a bid for the tournament during the spring after speaking with the GLVC's commissioner 

"Worked through some things with upper administration of that league over the summer, and then in the month of September about three weeks ago, we had an opportunity to make a final pitch to the university's athletics directors and the upper administration of that league and felt very good about it walking away,” Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And we got a very good, exciting phone call about 10 days ago from the conference commissioner expressing tremendous interest in St. Joe.” 

The tournaments had previously been hosted at Lindenwood, a former GLVC member, but were looking for a new home after their university moved to Division One.  

Esely says it's been a quest to get an annual March Madness event inside the Civic Arena 

"We are very fortunate and thankful for the confidence that the administration and the athletic directors from the Great Lakes Valley Conference have put in us and given us the opportunity to host what is one of the marquee championships in their league,” Esely explains.  “And certainly, look forward to the opportunity and we hope the community of St. Joseph and the surrounding area is excited and takes the opportunity to engage as well.” 

The GLVC Tournament this year will take place in St. Louis.  Civic Arena will first host the tournament March 4th-7th, 2027 

With a year still to plan for the tournament, Esely says a big part of these championships will be community engagement.  

Esely says much like with the Women's Elite Eight, he'd like to get young people in the building, with relationships with surrounding school districts 

"Not only trying to get young people exposed to a high level of college basketball and a championship experience, but the beauty of Division II with engagement, and have had some opportunities outside the arena with those teams engaging with our young people here in our community,” Esely says.  “And we envision something very similar with this particular championship, and almost kind of an adopted fan base maybe for the week they’re here.” 

Esely says also he hopes the city gets invested in the opportunity to see championship basketball in March in the community, which should not be taken for granted.  

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

After missing out on MIAA, St. Joseph cashes in on GLVC Basketball tournament

Missouri’s Great Northwest Winefest
returns Saturday to Mound City.

The event is the main fundraiser for Northwest
Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, a nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs and
small businesses in six counties.

Event Coordinator, Amanda Griffin, says Northwest
Missouri Enterprise Facilitation provides a wide range of services for
businesses.

“We want to make sure that these businesses
are here to stay, sticking it out through thick and thin,” Griffin tells
KFEQmmunity. “If they need business coaching, we send somebody out to chat with
them and we’ll brainstorm different ways to just help them, help them compete
in this ever-changing market.”

Missouri’s Great Northwest Winefest
begins at 11:30am Saturday in the North Griffith Park in Mound City.

Griffin says the Great Northwest Winefest
offers something for everyone.

“But you can check out over 60 artisans
and food vendors that are available and listen all day long. We’ll have live
music from 11:30 to 7 when we go ahead and close the festival out. But it’s
going to be a fantastic day,” Griffin says. “If you’re into wineries and
breweries and all of that stuff, it’s wonderful. But even if you’re not into
that kind of stuff there’s plenty to do for everyone.”

This the 16th annual Missouri’s
Great Northwest Winefest. Griffin says the event hit a hiccup during the
coronavirus pandemic, but has come back strong as residents look to invest in
experiences.

“They’re not investing in things any more
so much, but they want that experience,” Griffin says. “Because they realized
during that time (the pandemic) that their time is precious. And so, when they
come here and they take time out with friends and family at this festival, that’s
an experience that they’ll have forever and they’re realizing that. So, I’m
pretty excited. And I think that’s the key to the growth for us.”

There will be more than 60 artists,
drink, and food vendors at the Great Northwest Winefest in Mound City, including
local vendors as well as regional. Four live acts will play on the stage: Angie
Kelim, Ben Johnson as both young and old Elvis, The Curtis Stroud Band, and Josie
Watkins.

The event runs from 11:30am to 7pm. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for designated drivers.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Missouri’s Great Northwest Winefest enters 16th year in Mound City

Missouri Western
State University has been ranked the top regional public university in Missouri
for social mobility.

The US News and
World Report 2026 Best College rankings places Missouri Western 80th
for social mobility among regional universities in the Midwest, 16th
among public universities in the 12-state region.

Missouri Western
President, Elizabeth Kennedy, says the ranking reflects the success of the
university’s students, most of whom come from the four-county region around St.
Joseph.

“Educating this
population is making an investment in the future of northwest Missouri,” Kennedy
tells KFEQmmunity.

More than three-quarters
of the students attending Missouri Western come from the 10-county region
surrounding St. Joseph; a majority of those from Buchanan and the other three
adjacent counties. Missouri Western has approximately 3,700 students.

As for social
mobility, Kennedy says that simply means students who graduate from Missouri
Western have a great opportunity for success.

“When you talk
about this ranking and they talk about social mobility, it doesn’t mean we’re
transporting people out of town,” Kennedy jokes, “what it means is we are transforming
lives.”

In short, to
Kennedy, social mobility means those who come to Missouri Western, work hard,
and graduate can succeed in life.

“Think of social
mobility as the American Dream,” Kennedy says. “You can start from any place
that you want in this country and if you have an education, you can achieve
your dreams. And that’s what we mean about social mobility.”

A recent
Georgetown study estimates that those who graduate with four-year degrees, on
average, earn $850,000 more over the course of their careers that those with
only a high school degree.

It’s not just
about money, though, according to Kennedy who says college can help young
students become successful adults.

“Going to college
teaches you about how to you deal with other people; how do you handle
conflict, how do you get along, how do you work together, how do you think
critically, how do you deal with kind of a microcosm of life and an opportunity
where you can learn and
grow?”

Social mobility
also suggests students successfully chasing their dreams.

“You have a dream,”
Kennedy says. “You’re here. You’re coming through the doors to achieve
something and how do we support you to make sure that you can do that?”

Kennedy says the
recognition only motivates the university to focus on student success even more.

MoWest ranked #1 Missouri regional public university for social mobility

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

Savannah R-3
school officials have announced Amazonia Elementary will be closed
today due to a water main break. All other campuses in the Savannah R-3 School District
will remain open today.

Water main break closes Amazonia Elementary school today

ANDREW COUNTY—A St. Joseph woman was arrested after an accident just before 1:30a.m. Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Kia Sorrento driven by Danielle L. Swiastyn, 29, St. Joseph, was northbound on Business 71 at U.S. 59. The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, struck two signs and then returned to the road.&nbsp; 

Swiastyn refused treatment at the scene but was later arrested on requested charges of DWI alcohol and failure to drive within the right lane of the highway with two or more lanes in the same directions resulting in an accident, according to online jail records. The Patrol did not report her seat belt usage information.

St. Joseph woman accused of DWI after SUV crash

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Thursday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Toyota Highlander driven by an 89-year-old Gower man was eastbound on MO H two miles east of Gower. The SUV traveled off the south side of the road and overturned.

Buchanan County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

89-year-old Missouri man hospitalized after SUV overturns

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Thursday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a horse drawn buggy driven by a 38-year-old Trenton woman was entering Route F from a private drive near SW 50th Avenue six miles east of Jamesport.

An eastbound 2016 Chevy Silverado driven by a 59-year-old Trenton man rear-ended the buggy. After impact the pickup traveled down an embankment and came to rest on its wheels. The buggy came to rest in the roadway.

Grundy County EMS transported the buggy driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The pickup driver was properly restrained and not injured, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman injured after pickup rear-ends horse and buggy 

Friends of the Animal Shelter has a new
look.

Jennifer Kline with the St. Joseph group
says it seemed the time was ripe to upgrade its image.

“Branding for us is just an overall
refresh, just kind of updating the look of our logo,” Kline tells KFEQmmunity. “We
do have the new shelter in the works and so just kind of felt it was a good
time to also refresh our appearance and get a more modern look.”

For years, Friends of the Animal Shelter
pushed for a new animal shelter in St. Joseph. It hit roadblock after roadblock
until finally breaking through, reaching an agreement with the St. Joseph City
Council to build a new shelter. It is under construction on the South Belt
Highway next to the city recycling center.

Kline says with construction of the new shelter
underway, it seems prime time for a rebrand.

“The logo that we had had served us well
for a very long time and it just felt like, you know, with a new modern
facility coming along it really made sense to also just update that image and
kind of present ourselves differently to the community.”

Kline says the new logo is also being
used to sell merchandise for Friends of the Animal Shelter to raise money for
the non-profit.

With new shelter coming, Friends of the Animal Shelter gets new look

Krug Park Castle is closed as renovations
continue at the park.

A two-year, $11.75 million renovation is
underway at Krug Park. 

Fourth District St. Joseph
Couincilmember, Michael Grimm, is excited about what a renovated Krug Park
Castle will offer.

“But there will be a venue where there’ll
be dressing rooms, there will be an area where vendors can set up and sell food
and beverage,” Grimm tells KFEQmmunity. “It’ll also have an elevator so you can
get from underneath the castle to up to the top.”

The interior of the castle is being
gutted and rebuilt.

Electric power has been turned off during
renovations. The Krug Bowl amphitheater is being reconstructed and the
children’s circus also being upgraded.

The Krug Park Castle has deteriorated after
decades of neglect. It is aging as well and not remotely close to compliant
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It needs updating, to say the least. 

Grimm believes this renovation will accomplish
that.

“That’s the plan, particularly if there’s
a wedding and they want to hold it they can bring in a vendor to take care of
things,” Grimm says.

E. L. Crawford Construction is the
contractor and hopes to complete renovations by the fall of 2027. The half-cent
parks sales tax approved by voters in 2021 is paying for the renovations.

Krug Castle closed...for renovations

December corn closed down 5 1/4 cents and March corn was down 5 cents. November soybeans closed down 15 1/2 cents and January soybeans were down 15 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 6 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 8 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 5 1/4 cents.

December corn closed down 6 cents and March corn was down 6 3/4 cents. November soybeans closed down 11 1/4 cents and January soybeans were down 13 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 14 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 16 3/4 cents and December Minneapolis wheat was down 8 cents.

Row-crop markets fell sharply Friday, led by accelerated selling in the soybean complex after a series of escalations regarding trade between the U.S. and China. It began on Thursday with reports that China was planning further export restrictions on rare-earth minerals which have been a primary point of contention between the two nations through negotiations this year. It was then reported early Friday that China would respond to planned U.S. port fees with fees of their own on U.S. ships beginning Oct. 14. The final straw that broke the proverbial camel's back on Friday was a social media post from President Trump expressing frustration with China, but perhaps most concerning to the market was the comment that the highly anticipated summit between he and President Xi of China may no longer take place. The development was a bearish aspect across almost all markets for Friday, with energy and equity markets falling drastically as well as commodities.

The live cattle complex traded slightly lower as traders took note of the equity market's decline amid ongoing turmoil with China. But even so, the market was able to maintain a relatively low decline, and fundamental support was fruitful today as some early sales in the cash cattle market were marked higher and as boxed beef prices were higher again today too. The complex managed to get enough support to finish fully higher by the closing bell. The cash cattle market has still been mostly quiet, but some light trade has recently been reported in Nebraska at $362, which is $2.00 higher than last week's weighted average. I anticipate that the Southern plains will be able to trade cattle higher, too, as their showlists are slimmer than those in the North.

The feeder cattle complex is also trading lower as traders are skeptical of pushing the feeder cattle contracts any higher, given the fact that they're already trading at record high prices and that outside pressure has grown more troublesome. The market did not keep this lower tone through the day's close, fundamentally, there was more than enough support in the marketplace to finish higher across the board.

The lean hog complex is continuing to scale lower as there's not enough fundamental support in the market to comfort traders, and as the external pressures of the equity markets are affecting the hog complex too. Yes, pork cutout values were a tick higher this morning, but the market's support is a little too late to give much stability to traders.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/10142031/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

Weekly pork slaughter was estimated to be higher than 2.6 million head, although we won’t know the actual figures as the USDA has furloughed many of its staff due to a funding lapse. Seasonally, pork supply trends higher in the fall, and this year is no different. Slaughter is up 11 percent compared to where it was in mid-August, while weights are up three percent. With nearly 15 percent more pork coming to market, prices have started to trend lower and could see more downside this quarter. 

Pork trim prices were counter-seasonally higher in the previous three weeks, but the increase in supply has finally started to catch up with this market. Strong demand should keep prices above year-ago levels, but prices in November and December are expected to be lower than the current trends. Ham prices are expected to trade sideways, while belly prices could see more downside. 

Pork prices trend lower

A bipartisan group of 47 legislators from both Chambers of Congress petitioned the EPA to finalize its proposal for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, which includes measures to discourage the use of imports into the U.S. biofuels market. The group sent a letter to Lee Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, asking him to advocate for the proposal. The legislators say it represents a common-sense approach that puts America’s farmers first in line, strengthens U.S. domestic biofuel markets, and delivers tangible economic benefits to rural communities.

 An EPA proposal in June would change the RFS program to increase the Renewable Volume Obligation, or RVO, reduce the value of the Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for foreign-produced fuels and biofuel components, and reallocate unmet regulatory costs from exempted small refineries to larger ones. The group argued that the RIN reduction measure would provide essential support for the farm economy.

Congressional coalition supports EPA biofuels plan

December corn closed down 3 3/4 cents and March corn was down 3 3/4 cents. November soybeans closed down 7 1/4 cents and January soybeans were down 5 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 3 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 3/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 1 1/2 cents.

Corn, soy, and wheat prices fell Thursday, erasing gains made through a generally bullish midweek session Wednesday. Corn and soybean futures hit technical resistance Thursday, which bullish traders lack the reassurance to trade through currently with no USDA report this month to back up thoughts (supported by firmer spreads and basis levels) that the supply and demand relationship for corn and soybeans is tighter than previously reports have estimated. Outside markets on Thursday leaned negative, with a firmer U.S. dollar and lower energy markets weighing on agricultural prices.

The live cattle complex again followed in the feeder cattle market's wake, trading higher, with once again the market's deferred contracts seeing the biggest gains. With the spot December contract nearing the market's resistance at $241, it will be interesting to see how traders handle that threshold, as not only is it a resistance plane, but depending on how far traders would potentially take the contracts, it could mean new record high prices for the contracts as well. A single bid of $230 is currently on the table in Nebraska, but still no cash cattle trade has developed as feedlot managers are hoping to hold prices at least steady, and packers are obviously hoping to again work the market lower. Asking prices are noted at $235 to $237 in the South but are still not established in the North.

Rallying like it didn't have a care or a concern in the world, the feeder cattle contracts were pressing onward, pushing an aggressive $3.00 rally into midday Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon, the market was pleased to successfully reach new contract highs, which has seemed to fuel the market's ambition as traders have restlessly continued to push it higher and higher. Yes, seeing stronger boxed beef prices is helping, and if the fed cash cattle market were to trade steady to somewhat higher, that would be positive as well, but time will tell if that support develops or not.

It was another painstaking morning and session overall for the lean hog complex as support did not come to fruition, and the contracts were struggling because of that. Both cash prices and pork cutout values were weaker in the midday reports, and it's likely that remains the theme through the balance of the week.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/09143635/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a commercial turkey flock in Calhoun County, Iowa. This is Iowa’s eighth detection of HPAI within domestic birds in 2025. As the fall wild bird migration continues, that’s typically when infections in domestic flocks pick up. Clinical signs of infection include a sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs, lethargy, and a lack of appetite. 

It can also include a decrease in egg production, or soft, thin-shelled, or misshapen eggs, and a swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks. Remember, it remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products. Consumers are reminded to properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The CDC said the threat to the public remains low.

HPAI detected in Iowa commercial flock

Four people familiar with the talks say that the White House is delaying its plans to issue economic aid to farmers this week due to the government shutdown. The White House Office of Management and Budget prepared between $12 and $13 billion to be allocated from an internal USDA account. The sources said no final decision has been made yet on the total amount of money that will go for farm aid, and the package likely won’t be coming out soon. 

It’s possible the timeline was further delayed because some of the USDA’s political appointees have been placed on furlough during the shutdown. Politico also said officials are weighing the possibility of using tariff revenue, the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation fund, and other alternative methods to alleviate farmers’ financial stress. President Trump tapped the USDA fund to dole out $28 billion in assistance during the first trade war with China. 

Farm aid reportedly delayed by government shutdown

December corn closed up 2 1/4 cents and March corn was up 1 1/2 cents. November soybeans closed up 7 1/2 cents and January soybeans were up 5 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 1 1/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 3 1/2 cents.

It was the soybean show for row-crop futures Wednesday as November futures raced for its fourth higher session in the past six; meanwhile corn and wheat markets initially struggled to get off the ground but eventually joined with modest gains of their own amid a general bullishness across commodities at midweek. Crude oil futures put in a fourth straight session higher, with higher diesel prices also providing positive influence on the soybean complex. Meanwhile, the hot macroeconomic topic this week has been gold futures' meteoric rise through 2025 but especially the last few months to over $4,000 per troy ounce, fueled recently by the uncertainty due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. For Wednesday, the U.S. Dollar Index also rose to 2-month highs, likely a source of pressure to the wheat market.

The live cattle complex continued to trade higher as the market regained some technical support and interest from traders and continues to highlight the fact that boxed beef prices have seen more support this week as well. The spot December contract is nearing resistance at $241.00, which could cause the market some angst, as although support has been a tick more bountiful this week, has it really been enough to surpass resistance? Time will tell. So far, there's been no trade in the fed cash cattle market, but asking prices remain firm in the South at $235 to $237 and are still unestablished in the North. Trade will likely be delayed for another day or so. Some of the support that the cattle complex has received early this week could also be stemming from the fact that yet another new case of New World screwworm was detected in Mexico, roughly 170 miles away from the U.S./Mexico border. And while it may seem counterintuitive for the market to trade higher upon that finding, because we could be battling NWS here domestically at any point in time, another detection does likely indicate that the border won't be reopened any time soon, which should keep feeder cattle prices elevated.

The feeder cattle complex was powering on, full steam ahead, as the market traded $2.00 to $3.00 higher into Wednesday's noon hour and reaching as much as $5.00 to $6.00 higher before the closing bell in the far deferreds. So far, traders haven't seemed anxious about surpassing the market's resistance at $364, as they're continuing to drive the contracts.

Meanwhile, the lean hog complex traded mixed as the market wishes consumer demand would shine through and lend some additional support to the marketplace. But with fundamental support being hard to come by, traders yearn to push the contracts higher but are doing so in a cautious manner.

Mexico’s Agriculture Ministry said another case of New World Screwworm was reported in Nuevo Leon, which borders the United States. Reports say it’s the state’s second confirmed case in approximately two weeks. The infected calf came from the southern part of Mexico and was intercepted just south of Monterrey. None of the other 84 animals in the shipment were found to be infected with the flesh-eating parasite. 

The screwworm larvae in the detected case were all found dead or dying as a result of the mandatory treatments, including the antiparasitic Ivermectin. “The condition in which the larvae arrived makes them unviable for reproduction, demonstrating the effectiveness of the inspection protocols at origin and destination applied to mitigate the risk of screwworm spreading,” the ministry said in a statement about the most recent case. The outbreak has prompted the U.S. government to keep its border mostly closed to Mexican cattle imports.

Another screwworm case in Mexico

Although the overall runoff in September was above average in the upper Missouri River Basin, the runoff at the Fort Peck and Garrison reaches continues to be well below average. “Beneficial rainfall occurred over central South Dakota and North Dakota in September, resulting in well-above average runoff into Oahe, Big Bend, Fort Randall, and Gavin's Point,” said John Remus, Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Water Management Division. 

“The above-average runoff combined with the lower releases from Gavin's Point slightly improves the System storage outlook for the beginning of the 2026 runoff season.” September runoff was 1.3 million acre-feet, 109 percent of the average above Sioux City, Iowa. As of October 1, the total volume of water stored in the system was 50.4-million-acre feet, which is 5.7 million below the base of the system’s flood control zone. System storage will continue to decline through the fall.

Missouri River September runoff above average

December corn closed down 2 cents per bushel at $4.19 3/4 and March corn closed down 2 cents per bushel at $4.36 1/4 and November soybeans closed up 4 1/4 cents at $10.22 and January soybeans were up 3 1/4 cents at $10.39. December KC wheat closed down 3 1/2 cents at $4.92, December Chicago wheat was down 6 cents at $5.06 3/4 and MIAX December Minneapolis wheat was down 0.05 cents at $5.5200.

On an extremely slow trading day, corn traded both sides and moved little early before fading, while wheat markets again headed toward contract lows, with the MIAX Minneapolis contract establishing a new contract low. A dearth of news as traders awaited a decision on financial aid to farmers resulted in a low volume and low range trade.

The livestock complex is again trading mixed as the feeder cattle complex inches higher, but both the live cattle and lean hog contracts are trading lower. Still no bids or asking prices have been noted in the fed cash cattle market.

With the equity markets trading lower, it comes as no real surprise that the live cattle complex is also trading lower, as the market's support isn't significant enough to look beyond the additional concerns. The live cattle complex may be feeling the pressure of the equity market's lower trend. Still, the feeder cattle complex is continuing to trade higher into Tuesday's noon hour as traders look at the demand that was found in Monday's feeder cattle sales as a positive factor, and the continued uptick in beef demand to be enough support to justify pushing the contracts higher for now.&nbsp;

It's somewhat surprising to see the lean hog complex trading lower, as the market has better pork demand currently and is no longer up against immediate resistance pressure. December lean hogs are down $1.10 at $86.17, February lean hogs are down $1.27 at $88.27 and April lean hogs are down $0.90 at $91.50. The morning's weakness in the futures complex could partly be because traders noted the decline of packer interest in this morning's cash market, but otherwise, there's been no significant change in the complex.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/16193009/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

MANHATTAN, KAN. – The Riley County Police Department executed a search warrant at Chill Vibez Smoke and Vape and made an arrest during its investigation on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in the 100 block of Sarber Lane in Manhattan, Pottawatomie County.

According to a media release from the RCPD, the warrant was issued as part of a larger overall investigation that began earlier this year into the distribution of illegal marijuana and THC products in Manhattan. This was an independent investigation by the RCPD and not currently linked to recent enforcement by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

Police make arrest at smoke and vape shop in Manhattan

On social media Friday, Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said “RIFs have begun,” referring to reduction-in-force plans aimed at reducing the size of the federal government.

Government shutdown: Mass firings of federal workers begins

RILEY COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Thursday in Riley County.

A 2017 Buick Encore driven by Sharon Sando, 74, Leonardville was traveling&nbsp; in the 12000 block of Green-Randolph Road, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity report. The SUV veered off the road and rolled into a ditch. 

Sando was pronounced dead at the scene. The RCPD released no additional details.

Kansas woman dies in SUV rollover accident

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — University of Kansas indigenous studies director Alex Red Corn said a $1.5 million grant would allow a five-year collaboration with tribal nations and school districts in three states to broaden the pipeline of K-12 teachers working in schools serving Native American students.

The difficulty of attracting and retaining teachers to serve Native American students has been fueled from insufficient funding, isolation of rural communities and lack of job-market recruiting.

KU was awarded the grant from the Office of Indian Education in the U.S. Department of Education. The program involves&nbsp;the Southern Plains American Indian Teaching Pathways Project, which is a partnership that included Haskell Indian Nations University, or HINU, in Lawrence.

The goal is to work with Native Nations and school districts in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma to prepare and mentor 15 teachers in elementary or secondary education.

“We look forward to getting started recruiting folks from Native communities and offer them a funded pathway to full teacher licensure through&nbsp;KU&nbsp;and Haskell and continuing to grow our longstanding partnership with Haskell in new and exciting ways,” said Red Corn, an Osage member, the lead principal investigator on the project and a KU associate professor.

Under the program, researchers plan to recruit individuals who earned or were approaching completion of an associate’s degree and want to pursue teaching certification by earning a bachelor’s degree at HINU or KU.

Upon graduation, these certified teachers would be required to work in Native-serving schools, where they would receive career mentorship from experienced teachers and cultural leaders.

KU officials said students involved in the program would be eligible for financial support in the form of tuition and fees, monthly living stipends, books, laptops and academic conference travel.

“We’re very appreciative of this opportunity from the Office of Indian Education, which is such a critical resource for tribal nations looking to advance sovereignty in education,” Red Corn said.

He said tribe and school partners in the region were eager to participate in work on a sustained program to bolster the teacher-development pipeline.

Project partners on the grant application included HINU, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Osage Nation, Quapaw Nation, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

Other partners in the teacher development effort would be&nbsp;Royal Valley Schools and South Brown County Schools as well as Daposka Ahnkodapi (Osage Nation School), Darlington Public Schools, Umoⁿhoⁿ Nation Public School and the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly.&nbsp;

University of Kansas collaborates on $1.5M grant to train teachers for Native-serving schools

Who won? White House responds to Nobel Peace Prize announcement

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 6p.m. Thursday, police o were dispatched to a shooting at a convenience store in the 1300 block of Bannister Road in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.

On arrival officers were directed to a shooting victim unresponsive on the ground next to the business. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS who responded and declared the man deceased at the scene. Homicide detectives responded to&nbsp; the scene and canvassed for any witnesses. 

Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim had an interaction with an unknown suspect in the parking lot of the business that escalated to gunfire which struck the victim.&nbsp; Police did report the name of the victim or additional details.

Homicide: Man killed in KC convenience store parking lot

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement continue to investigate after a concerning social media post involving a weapon at Billy Mills Middle School, 2734 Louisiana Street in Lawrence, according to Lawrence Police.

On Thursday morning, Lawrence police, Douglas County Sheriff deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol responded and in conjunction with USD 497 officials locked down the school, evacuated students to the football field and worked to ensure no students were hiding in the building. Some students did hide when the school was placed on lockdown, according to police.

All students were required to leave personal items for clearance. Police&nbsp; called in a firearm detection dog to search and did not find a firearm.

Police have identified the circumstances that promoted the response and will complete a thorough investigation.

The original post came from Snapchat, and Detectives were working to contact Snapchat to get information on the post, but the person that allegedly posted it had not been identified. The person who reported the post did not know who made the post.

Kansas middle school evacuated as police investigate social media threat 

KANSAS CITY —A tree trimmer injured in accident just after 1p.m. Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri, remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.

The Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;responded to the reported high-angle rescue and possible electrocution in the 2400 block of Brighton, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. On arrival crews encountered a tree trimmer who had come in to contact with an overhead power line.

The patient was unconscious and suspended by his safety rope. The patient was lowered to the ground and transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Kansas City police responded to the scene as part of protocol and is now investigating the incident due to the casualty, which is significant to the individual not by criminal means, according to Becchina.&nbsp;

Tree trimmer remains in KC hospital after contact with power line

Nate's Fine Foods, Roseville, California,&nbsp;announced a recall of nearly 245,000 pounds of pre-cooked pasta linked to a&nbsp;deadly listeria outbreak&nbsp;and potential contamination of dozens of products sold at grocery stores nationwide, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Listeria outbreak: Company recalls nearly 245,000 pounds of pasta

Beloved March Madness icon Sister Jean dies at 106

The season continues to roll on and near its close as it's Week 7 in Missouri and Week 6 in Kansas.&nbsp; Below is a list of all of the games played with scores, and coaches interviews in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!

Tune into KFEQ Radio (680AM, 95.3,FM 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!

Savannah (6-0) vs Chillicothe (2-4) - Fri. @ 7pm

Cameron (2-4) @ Lafayette (0-6) - Fri. @ 7pm

&nbsp;Maryville (5-1) vs Lutheran North (4-1) - Fri. @ 5:30pm

Benton (2-4) @ Monroe City (5-1) - Fri. @ 7pm

Bishop LeBlond (2-4) @ Northland Christian (2-4) - Fri. @ 7pm

East Buchanan (3-3) @ West Platte (3-3) - Fri. @ 7pm

Hamilton (1-5) @ Lathrop (4-2) - Fri. @ 7pm

Mid-Buchanan (6-0) vs North Platte (5-1) - Fri. @ 7pm

Plattsburg (0-6) vs Lawson (4-2) - Fri. @ 7pm

Trenton (1-5) @ Maysville (1-5) - Fri. @ 7pm

Milan (0-6) vs Gallatin (4-2)- Fri. @ 7pm

South Harrison (5-1) vs Brookfield (5-1) - Fri. @ 7pm

Putnam County (6-0) vs Scotland County (4-2) - Fri. @ 7pm

&nbsp;Polo (3-3) @ Marceline (3-3) - Fri. @ 7pm

&nbsp;North Andrew (2-4) vs King City (5-1)- Fri. @ 7pm

Albany (2-4) vs Princeton (0-6) - Fri. @ 7pm

&nbsp;Worth County (5-1) vs Stanberry (2-4)- Fri. @ 7pm

St. Joseph Christian (3-3) vs Pattonsburg (6-0) - Fri. @ 7pm

Rock Port (6-0) vs South Holt (3-3)- Fri. @ 7pm

Dekalb (0-6) @ Stewartsville- Osborn (0-6)- Fri. @ 7pm

Nodaway Valley (6-0) @ Mound City (5-1) - Fri. @ 7pm

&nbsp;Platte Valley (2-4) vs East Atchison (2-4)- Fri. @ 7pm

Central (4-2) vs Park Hill (3-3)- Fri. @  7pm

Atchison (3-2) @Topeka-Highland Park HS (3-2) - Game on Thur. Oct. 9th

High School Football Schedule for Oct. 9th-10th

When the Missouri Western State University football team takes the field next Saturday, it will honor one young man from Kansas City.  

14-year-old Julius Byers suffered an injury on the first play of his high school football career, which left him partially paralyzed.  Byers dreamed of playing football at MoWest.

President Elizabeth Kennedy says Byers story caught her attention and others within the athletics department.   

"When he was in 8th grade, because he’s a freshman now at high school, but when he was in 8th grade he actually came to MoWest for a visit day, and got to see us, got to learn about us, got to probably see our stadium and what not, and came home from that field trip telling his dad he was going to play football at Missouri Western,” Kennedy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Byers suffered his injury during a game against Lee's Summit High School.&nbsp; Three fractures in his neck, a concussion, and an incomplete spinal cord injury that has left both of his arms paralyzed.

Kennedy says during next week's game against Pittsburgh State, Byers will be at the game, serving as an honorary captain for the team  

"He’ll have the opportunity to be on the field I believe, and it’s all about hey there are other people that care about you, people that you’ve not met, people that you just need to know are thinking of you and praying for you, and hoping that you have a good recovery,” Kennedy says.  “And just sometimes offering hope in that regard can be very uplifting to people.” 

Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick visited Byers and his family, gifting him with a jersey as well as surprising him with the honor of being named a captain. 

Kennedy says they always talk at MoWest about being a family, and doing the right thing, and this is one of the ways they can prove it. 

"We have tangible acts that we do to show people that we care,” Kennedy explains. 

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