The doors have officially opened to the new building housing the University of Missouri-Kansas City Medical School in St. Joseph.  

The school had been functioning out of the Mosaic hospital campus, but cut the ribbon, with a scalpel rather than scissors, today on the new 22,000-square-foot building. 

UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal says to get to this point has been five years of hard work 

"We started dreaming this five years ago planting a medical school here, we started the academic program it was housed in Mosaic's hospital, and that has been great," Agrawal tells reporters.  "But we wanted a building of our own so we could put all the high-tech education right here in St. Joe, this is the most high-tech medical education I've seen anywhere, it's happening right here in St. Joseph." 

Agrawal says while the high-tech facility does help the learning experience, the most vital piece of the facility is students learning in rural health clinics.  

Agrawal points out two students that recently graduated from the school, took jobs with Mosaic, saying that the school shows students they don't need to go to bigger cities, but rather can stay in rural communities to work.  

Integral in getting the state funding for the school was St. Joseph State Representative Brenda Shields.  Shields says the discussions on the school started after she lamented on the need for rural nursing education in St. Joseph.  

Shields was persistent in getting the funding for the school, and says it was important for her, because it's important to train rural physicians 

"If you talked to anybody that lives in rural America, they talk how it takes months for them to be able to get an appointment or they have to drive miles and miles, well people will stop living in rural America if they can't access the healthcare that they need," Shields explains.  "And for rural Missouri to be vibrant, we have to have healthcare, so that we can grow the economy of those communities." 

Shields says for students from around the area to have the opportunity to learn here and eventually stay here to serve their communities is a huge deal for bringing a school into St. Joseph as well.  

The medical school has operated out of Mosaic having its first graduating class this past January, but the new facility offers those high-tech learning opportunities for students.  

One of those students, Mikalah Brock, is from Maysville, and says getting to earn her M. D so close to home is very special to her 

"Coming home and being around my family, having that support system, getting to go to my sister's basketball games while I'm achieving my M.D, and getting to hear from the people in this area what healthcare challenges they're having in real time, it's amazing, it's such an educational opportunity that I would not be able to get anywhere else," Brock says. 

Brock says though she will have to go away on residency, it is amazing to get to work close to home and build connections with physicians in the area that she'll be able to contact when she is back practicing in the area. 

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

UMKC opens doors of new high-tech School of Medicine building

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an incident in Missouri.

Just after 10:30a.m. Tuesday, Nodaway County, Missouri law enforcement notified Brown County law enforcement dispatch about a man, identified as 41-year-old Matthew Olson from Hiawatha, Kansas who was involved as a suspect in a&nbsp; "shots fired" incident in their county, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

Olson was reported driving a gold or tan SUV type vehicle with a Kansas license plate.&nbsp; Brown County deputies , KHP, Hiawatha Police, Sac and Fox, Iowa and Kickapoo Police all staged at various areas of the county to try and intercept the vehicle should Olson try and returnt o Hiawatha.&nbsp;

Just before noon, the vehicle was stopped in Hiawatha in the Carpet Plus parking lot and Olson taken into custody without incident.

Olson is being held in the Brown County jail on requested Nodaway County charges of Criminal Discharge of a Weapon, Telecom Harassment, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Kansas man captured after alleged crimes in Nodaway County

Following the passage of a law banning mobile phone use, school boards have quickly adopted policies banning the devices from bell to bell

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Amidst a plethora of back-to-school reminders, Missouri public schools are making a special effort to inform parents about a new state law banning cell phones during the school day.

The law, signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe in July, requires school districts to set a policy barring students from using mobile devices except for in emergencies or when instructed by a teacher. And with most students returning to classrooms this week, districts have been warning parents about the new expectations.

“I don’t know any district that’s fighting this,” Susan Goldammer, policy chief for the Missouri School Boards’ Association, told The Independent. “Most of the folks that I’ve spoken to are secretly quite happy that they have a little bit of additional authority to explain to parents why (devices) are not allowed.”

Goldammer wrote the association’s model policy that many Missouri school boards have personalized and adopted within the last month. Districts have asked about details, like exceptions for students with medical issues requiring access to cell phones, but they are largely ready to start the school year with the new policy.

Some Missouri districts already had bans on cell phones, while others were considering adding restrictions. For them, the law is a welcome addition and helps fight any pushback from parents and students.

“I have been surprised at how easy it was for districts to do this, and I can’t help but think that’s because all of the adults now are realizing it is not good to have the kind of electronic connectivity that kids have all the time,” Goldammer said.

The law is more restrictive than other states by banning cell phone usage throughout the entire school day instead of only during instructional time. But it allows for some nuances, giving districts the ability to choose how to enforce the policy and how devices will be stored.

Most districts have told parents that smartwatches are barred, citing the law’s ban of any “portable device that is used to initiate, receive, store, or view communication, information, images or data electronically.”

The Rockwood School District in Eureka,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/54342171" target="_blank">in a message to parents</a>, indicated that it wasn’t completely banning smartwatches but that it expects students “to only use their smartwatch for the purpose of keeping time and not for communication purposes during school hours.”

The North Kansas City School District, though, will restrict all uses of smartwatches. The district included the question “Can my student wear their smartwatch if they aren’t using it for communication?” on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nkcschools.org/district/dept/technology/personal-device-policy" target="_blank">its website</a>, telling parents that smartwatches are barred but fitness trackers without message capabilities are allowed.

Districts also have different expectations on how devices will be stowed, though most are allowing students to have their devices turned off in their backpacks.

St. Louis Public Schools’ board of education approved a policy that allows for each school to choose its phone-collection method.&nbsp;

“This flexibility acknowledges the diverse operational needs and preferences expressed by elementary and secondary staff and families,” Superintendent Millicent Borishade wrote in her August&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slps.org/Page/81605" target="_blank">newsletter</a>.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://slps.community.highbond.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=520" target="_blank">its Aug. 12 meeting</a>, the board also approved the purchase of locking phone pouches from Yondr for Gateway STEM High School at a cost of $40,000.

Goldammer anticipates that more districts will be considering purchasing phone-storage systems and evolving their policies before next school year. With a little over a month between the law’s passage and the first day of school, districts had time to set policies, but many were not able to make large purchases that quickly, she said.

But for now, administrators will be working on the best ways to execute the policy.

“There will be a learning curve,” Goldammer said. “There will be kids that break the rules. There always are.”

Missouri districts begin new school year with state-mandated cell-phone ban

Eastern Kansas
Congressman Derek Schmitt says Congress will need to review its changes to
Medicaid to lessen any impact they might have on rural hospitals.

Critics charge the
Medicaid changes contained in the one big, beautiful bill might look pretty
ugly to rural hospitals which rely on Medicaid payments to survive.

Schmitt, a
Republican, defends changes that require recipients to look for work or enroll
in college.

“That is very
reasonable. It’s the right thing to do. It should have been the public policy
all along. It is in most of the public benefits programs,” Schmitt tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And applying that to Medicaid, it’s not just a numbers
thing, it’s the right thing to do for the individuals involved. There’s a
dignity in work and helping people move in the direction of becoming self-sufficient
is very, very important for all of us.”

Schmitt
acknowledges, though, that the changes could hurt rural hospitals.

“This is a
complicated issue. You’re talking about tweaking different parts of a spending
formula that affects many, many people; many, many communities and lots and
lots and lots of taxpayer money,” Schmitt says. “And we need to be able to get
pass the sort of sloganeering debate and have a more thoughtful discussion
about the individual provisions. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Schmitt says the
Senate moves that changed the provider tax and state-directed payments could
hurt rural hospitals and should be re-examined by Congress.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Schmitt says how Medicaid changes impact rural hospitals might need reexamined

Certain raw frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods), a company located in Indonesia, and sold at Walmart stores in Missouri and a dozen other states, according to a statement from the FDA.

These products include the following product names, lot codes, and best by dates:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-public-not-eat-sell-or-serve-certain-imported-frozen-shrimp-indonesian-firm#ProductDesc">Additional product information is in a table below.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. commerce. FDA is working with distributors and retailers that received product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati after the date of first detection of Cs-137 by Customs &amp; Border Protection (CBP), but from shipments that did not alert for Cs-137, to recommend that firms conduct a recall. In conjunction with other information, FDA determined that product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati violates the Federal Food, Drug, &amp; Cosmetic Act in that it appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern.&nbsp;

FDA has also added PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_1187.html">new import alert</a>&nbsp;for chemical contamination to stop products from this firm from coming into the U.S. until the firm has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing. This advisory will be updated as more information becomes available.&nbsp;

FDA detected Cs-137 in a single shipment of imported frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati that did not enter U.S. commerce. The level of Cs-137 detected in the detained shipment was approximately 68 Bq/kg, which is below&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/process-contaminants-food/supporting-document-guidance-levels-radionuclides-domestic-and-imported-foods">FDA’s Derived Intervention Level for Cs-137</a>&nbsp;of 1200 Bq/kg. At this level, the product would not pose an acute hazard to consumers. Avoiding products like the shipment FDA tested with similar levels of Cs-137 is a measure intended to reduce exposure to low-level radiation that could have health impacts with continued exposure over a long period of time.

The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body. Additional information about Cs-137 and your health is available through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts157.pdf">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry resources</a>.

FDA is actively investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) of Indonesia. The U.S. Customs &amp; Border Protection (CBP) alerted FDA to the detection of Cs-137 in shipping containers at four U.S. ports (Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami). FDA collected multiple samples for radionuclide analysis, with results confirming the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of breaded shrimp. All containers and product testing positive or alerting for Cs-137 have been denied entry into the country. The agency continues to coordinate with CBP to prevent any contaminated products from reaching consumers and is working with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to investigate the root cause of the contamination.&nbsp;

Although testing to date has not confirmed the presence of contamination in any product in commerce, the product appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern. To date, FDA has learned that Walmart has received implicated raw frozen shrimp, imported after the date of first detection of Cs-137 by CBP, but from shipments that did not alert for Cs-137. FDA has recommended Walmart recall this product.&nbsp;

Consumers should not eat or serve certain lots of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart stores in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, OH, OK, PA, TX, and WV: &nbsp;

If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away. Do not eat or serve this product.

Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium that is man-made through nuclear reactions and because it is widespread worldwide, trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food, and air. FDA food monitoring focuses on radioisotopes (radionuclides) that are not normally present and are generally the result of human activities. Any unexpected finding of Cs-137 in a food product is evaluated to determine if follow up action is warranted on a case-by-case basis. After being alerted to the contamination of shipping containers detected by CBP, FDA initiated sampling of products which included five different shrimp products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, one of which was a sample of frozen breaded shrimp. FDA's laboratory confirmation of Cs-137 in the breaded shrimp had detectable levels of Cs-137 present at 68.48 Bq/kg +/- 8.25 Bq/kg. There was no detectable Cs-137 in the other products tested; however, this does not rule out contamination.

FDA has not detected Cs-137 in any product above the current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/process-contaminants-food/supporting-document-guidance-levels-radionuclides-domestic-and-imported-foods">derived intervention levels for Cs-137</a>&nbsp;(1200 Bq/kg); however, FDA has concluded that the level detected in the breaded shrimp sample could represent a potential health concern for those exposed to this level of Cs-137 from consumption of the shrimp over an extended period of time combined with radiation that exists in the environment and from other sources such as medical procedures. Avoiding products like the shipment FDA tested with similar levels of Cs-137 is a measure intended to reduce exposure to low-level radiation that could have health impacts with continued exposure over a long period of time. FDA has taken swift action to prevent potentially contaminated product from being introduced into U.S. commerce in response to reports of contaminated shipping containers from CBP. On August 14, 2025, FDA posted a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_1187.html">import alert (IA 99-51)</a>&nbsp;for chemical contamination under section 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. &nbsp;PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has been added to the red list of this alert due to the presence of Cs-137. The import alert ensures that no implicated shrimp products will enter U.S. commerce until the company resolves the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation.&nbsp;

Walmart recalls frozen shrimp sold in Missouri over potential radioactive contamination

PLATTE COUNTY—One person was injured and another arrested in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Tuesday in Platte County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Dodge Caravan driven by a 48-year-old Parkville man was northbound on Interstate 29 just south of 64th Street. The van rear-ended a 2018 Isuzu passenger vehicle.&nbsp; The Isuzu driver, later identified as a Todd M. Moulin, 48, Kansas City, Missouri, left the scene of the crash.

KC Fire transported the van driver to North Kansas City Hospital.&nbsp; The Patrol later arrested Moulin on requested charges of driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a crash, no valid license and for no insurance. He was released for treatment at North Kansas City Hospital.

One injured, one accused of DUI after rear-end crash

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Tuesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Peterbilt semi driven by a 66-year-old Amazonia man was westbound on U.S. 136 at Route EE in New Hampton. The semi attempted to pass a 2015 Chevy Malibu driven by a 45-year-old Bethany woman that had slowed to make a left turn.

The right front of the semi struck the left front of the car.

Grand River Ambulance transported the Bethany woman to Mosaic in Albany. The semi driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman injured after semi, car crash

A new class of the St. Joseph Sports Hall of Fame will be enshrined this weekend.  

St. Joseph Sports Commission Executive Director Brett Esely says every class in the hall has something special about it, and the more he's thought about this one, the more he defines it as a gritty class 

"They all come from a great background here in St. Joe, they all did elite things, and these were guys that had careers that expand longevity," Esely says on the KFEQmunnity show.  "And I think you would assume that with most hall of fame inductees." 

While Esely says this class is gritty, he says there's also one other thing that stands out about the 2025 class. 

"You have folks in this class that were really good at what they did, but you have folks that were really good mentors and helped other people either achieve their best or just get to a level where they feel comfortable," Esely explains.  "And I think that's a huge piece of what a hall of famer is, is you're great at what you do, but you're great at making people comfortable and better at what they do, and there's a lot of that in this class and all over it." 

Esely says many in the class did this as mentors to others, using Bob Boyles as an example, 

"Bob has a gym in his home, that's been his day to day job for a number of years, and he has trained athletes on all levels whether they be world class athletes, a unique thing is Rob Calloway, whose also in our class, worked with Bob for a while training wise, but you also have athletes that are just trying to reach personal fitness goals and stay in shape," Esely says. 

Esely says Sunday's enshrinement ceremony is sure to bring a lot of great stories to tell and relive during the ceremony.   

Nine individuals, one team, and one special Olympic athlete will have their names etched into the St. Joseph history books during Sunday's enshrinement ceremony.  

There are still tickets available for the ceremony that can be purchased online for $25.  The ceremony will take place on Sunday at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center from 5 to 7pm. 

"Gritty" 2025 St. Joseph Hall of Fame class to be enshrined this weekend

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating the theft of a&nbsp;&nbsp;Kubota side by side work vehicle owned by Mammoth Construction of Meriden, Kansas, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The vehicle was taken from a job site at the Atchison High School football field. It is believed the vehicle was taken around 2:00AM on Monday&nbsp; and driven through a fence on the west side of the complex. 

Police later recovered the vehicle near 15th and Santa Fe Street. Police released no additional details including possible suspect details.

Police recover stolen construction company UTV

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/20142159/30001-230-markets.wav">HERE</a> to listen to the closing markets

December corn closed up 3/4 cent per bushel at $4.04 and March corn was up 1 1/2 cents at $4.22. November soybeans closed up 2 1/4 cents at $10.36 0/1 and January soybeans were up 2 cents at $10.55 1/4. December KC wheat closed up 1 1/2 cents at $5.23 1/4, December Chicago wheat was up 7 cents at $5.28 1/4 and MIAX December Minneapolis wheat was up 0.02 cents at $5.8975.

The September U.S. Dollar Index is trading down 0.064 at 98.055. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 88.22 points at 44,834.05. December gold is up $29.30 at $3,388.00, September silver is up $0.44 at $37.77 and September copper is up $0.0050 at $4.4275. October crude oil is up $0.95 at $62.72, October heating oil is up $0.0297, October RBOB is up $0.0367 and September natural gas is down $0.016.

Corn futures were quietly higher Wednesday in slow trade, rejecting early weakness to finish higher. Reports from the ongoing Midwest annual crop tour showed more good numbers with record pod counts in Nebraska soy and higher corn yields and record ear counts in Indiana. However, there were some weather issues and tour participants found tip back on western and northern Illinois fields Wednesday, so perhaps some strength came from that. However, it is likely both Illinois and especially Iowa will show record potential when done. Some rust is being found in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa fields, which could have a small impact on yield. Corn demand continues to be very good with two more sales to Colombia and Mexico announced on Wednesday amounting to 9 million bushels (mb). Corn sales and inspections continue to run at a solid pace, However, with Brazil's safrinha corn harvest nearing the finish line, they have become much more aggressive in selling corn, with shipping firm ANEC reporting Brazil would ship over 8 million metric tons (mmt) in August, 1.5 mmt higher than a year ago. IN EIA's weekly petroleum report ethanol production slipped 2% lower at 1.072 million barrels per day while stocks remained steady. Word from the University of Illinois is that the breakeven cost on corn, depending on the area, ranges from $4.64 to $4.94 with futures sitting at $4.06 currently. Funds remain net-short corn to the tune of 160,000 contracts. DTN's National Corn Index is $3.61 and 19 cents under the September futures.

Soybeans were modestly higher Wednesday, drawing strength from the continuing rally in soybean meal. It is being reported that not only are funds covering some of their sizeable meal short, but traders are also unwinding September-October spreads, which has moved that from a $4.00 carry to a $2.00 inverse. Bean oil continues to show weakness with September threatening to fill an open chart gap left following the June announcement of the increased RVOs for biodiesel. Tour participants are finding record pod counts in many areas such as Nebraska and are hinting at the potential for record soy yields. Unlike corn, demand is not keeping pace with the expectation for increased supply. The ongoing tariff battle with China has sent them on a buying spree from Brazil all the way into November, and at close to a $1.00 premium to U.S. FOB beans. While China would typically take anywhere from 2 mmt to 8 mmt of U.S. new-crop beans by mid-August, with the 23% tariff they imposed on U.S. beans they have bought zero so far. China's July soy imports from Brazil jumped 14% from the previous year to 10.4 mmt. The American Soybean Association is urging the Trump administration to get a grain deal with China soon or many farmers would face financial hardship. The weather forecast is mostly dry this week until the weekend when we will see rain in the western Midwest. The soy crop will need some finishing rain to solidify record yields. DTN's National Soybean Index is $9.67 and 67 under the November futures.

Wheat markets began Wednesday by falling to new contract lows, but each market recovered to finish higher, with Chicago leading the way. Both the KC and Chicago markets had become extremely oversold and due for a bounce. It is being reported that FOB soft red wheat had become so cheap at the Gulf and more than $10 below FOB Russian wheat that it has drawn some Asian interest. Growing supplies and aggressive marketing from other major wheat exporters, especially Russia and the EU, have pressured wheat lately. In other news, the U.S. spring wheat harvest is advancing and as of Sunday was over 36% done. Tenders include Bangladesh for 50,000 mt of optional milling wheat and Taiwan is tendering for over 90,000 mt of U.S. milling wheat. Jordan passed on its tender for 120,000 mt of milling wheat. Funds remain short both KC and Chicago wheat. DTN's National HRW Index is $4.50 and 50 cents under the September futures.

Commodity markets daily recap

Farm Credit System Institutions made more than 150,000 loans to young, beginning, and small U.S. producers in 2024. A new Farm Credit Administration Report shows the institutional support for its ongoing mission of supporting rural communities and agriculture. “The future of agriculture depends on the next generation,” said Christy Seyfert, president and CEO of the Farm Credit Council. “We’re proud to deliver on our ongoing commitment to supporting young, beginning, and small producers as evidenced through this report.” 

During 2024, Farm Credit institutions made the 150,000 loans, totaling $33.1 billion, which was more than half of all loans made last year. Through 2024, Farm Credit supported over 50,000 loans to young producers who were 35 and under. More than 72,000 loans were made to beginning producers with ten years or less of experience, and 121,000 loans to producers with under $350,000 in gross cash farm income. 

Farm credit supporting young farmers

Based on the mid-year cattle report, a further tightening is expected of calves available for placement in late 2025 and early 2026. The report also suggests steady but gradual changes to inventories of beef cows and replacement heifers. That means the 2025 and 2026 beef production forecasts were lowered from last month. Elsewhere, lamb prices moved sharply upward in June and July of this year, leading to higher lamb price forecasts for the rest of 2025 and 2026. 

Milk production is forecast to increase in 2025 and 2026, driven by larger herds and improved yields. The all-milk price remains unchanged at $22 per hundredweight. Pork production for 2025 is reduced by one percent from last month’s forecast to 27.7 billion pounds, reflecting a slower slaughter rate and reduced dressed weights in the third and fourth quarters. Projected broiler production in the poultry industry is expected to increase due to strong hatchery data and lower feed costs. 

USDA issues August livestock report

December corn closed down 3 1/4 cents at $4.20 3/4 and March corn was down 3 1/2 cents at $4.03 1/4. November soybeans closed down 7 1/2 cents at $10.33 3/4 and January soybeans were down 6 3/4 cents at $10.53 1/2. December KC wheat closed down 6 1/2 cents at $5.21 3/4, September Chicago wheat was down 4 1/4 cents at $4.98 1/2 and December Minneapolis wheat was up 0.01 cents at $5.87.

It was generally a bright red day on ag commodity quote boards as all three wheat markets again printed new lows; corn, soybeans and bean oil fell, with the latter two down hard. Steady crop ratings in corn and soy and the ongoing crop tour reflecting the record yield potential that USDA saw, along with the accelerating southern harvests, combined to weigh on prices throughout the session.

Tuesday presented itself as another opportunity to rally in the live cattle complex, and traders didn't let the chance to again push the contracts higher slip by.It's obviously helping that boxed beef prices continue to trek higher despite the already incredibly high price point at which the market is trading, but resistance pressure could at any time pressure the live cattle contracts and cause traders some anxiety. In the spot October contract, resistance pressure looms around $232, and the contract was just roughly $0.50 away from that threshold for the bulk of the session. Asking prices are noted in the South at $240 plus, but are still not established in the North.

The feeder cattle complex continues to flex its power and strength, as currently, many of the nearby contracts have already reached new contract highs for the day. More than anything, the surge in the feeder cattle complex seems to be stemming from the fact that demand in the countryside remains utterly incredible, and that the live cattle complex is seeing plenty of support, which all bodes well with traders.

Following yesterday's higher close in the lean hog complex, the market seemed to question its move, trying to determine if it has enough support to justify the move made yesterday and finished modestly lower. The biggest deterrent to the morning's carcass price was the loin's $2.24 decline.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/19142439/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Recent beef checkoff-funded research adds to a growing body of evidence reinforcing the important role fresh beef plays in a healthy, sustainable diet. Animal-sourced foods like red meat are often associated with obesity risk. However, Texas Tech University researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of available research on the relationship between unprocessed red meat intake and obesity, finding no significant effect of such intake on weight gain or related metabolic issues in adults. 

The researchers found that beef contains high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, and people enjoy it as a key source of nourishment, but they’re often discouraged from consuming red meat based on recommendations primarily driven by observational evidence. The Texas Tech study is the first to fully review the totality of causative evidence, which shows no protective or adverse effect of unprocessed red meat intake on obesity. The NCBA and the Texas Beef Council funded the research. 

New study on red meat and obesity shows no link

One of the most important independent measurements of American crop production is well underway this week amid several challenges which are making it harder than ever to predict yield, one of the crucial statistics driving the Corn Belt’s economy. The 33rd annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour runs through August 21, and will send scouts to fields in seven states to measure corn and soybean potential. 

Lane Aakre (acre), Pro Farmer economist and eastern tour leader, says they’re eager to get out into the fields. “USDA is forecasting some huge numbers in states like Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota, based on satellite imagery and feedback from farmer surveys,” Aakre said. USDA no longer collects objective yield samples in August, so the Crop Tour is the first to broadly measure ear populations and pod counts from actual fields in the Corn Belt. They’ll pull more than 1,600 corn and 1,600 soybean samples.

Pro Farmer Crop Tour this week is counting down to harvest

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/18144852/30001-closing-markets.wav">HERE</a> to listen to the closing markets

December corn closed up 1 1/4 cents per bushel at $4.06 1/2 and March corn was up 1 3/4 cents at $4.24 1/4. November soybeans closed down 1 1/4 cents at $10.41 1/4 and January soybeans were down 1 1/2 cents at $10.60. September KC wheat closed down 3/4 cent at $5.06 1/4, September Chicago wheat was down 3 3/4 cents at $5.02 3/4 and MIAX December Minneapolis wheat was down 0.01 cents at $5.8825.

The September U.S. Dollar Index is trading up 0.263 at 97.975. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 44.33 points at 44,901.79. December gold is down $3.60 at $3,379.00, September silver is up $0.08 at $38.06 and September copper is down $0.0125 at $4.4800. September crude oil is up $0.58 at $63.38, September heating oil is up $0.0140, September RBOB is up $0.0243 and September natural gas is down $0.027.

December corn futures, in two-sided trade, finished slightly better on Monday. Early pressure was coming from not only the continued favorable weather with the primary Corn Belt slated to get more rain amid a cooling trend, but also from thoughts that a major annual crop tour which began on Monday was likely to find more reasons to be bearish corn. After the recent August WASDE had pegged the corn crop at a record 188.8 bushels per acre (bpa) yield with record production of over 16.7 billion bushels (bb), some even believed NASS could ultimately raise yield again in future reports. Talk centered on corn at least having a yield of 186 bpa with some private estimates even inching up to and above the 190-bpa mark. Also adding pressure is the expanding southern corn harvest with Louisiana likely to reach more than 60% harvested with Arkansas moving close to 20%, pressuring cash values. So far, Delta corn yields are reported to be running well above a year ago. On Monday morning another new corn sale was announced -- 4.9 mb sold to unknown destinations. Demand remains solid on the export front along with corn used for ethanol. Weekend rain fell in the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, with more rain early Monday for parts of Nebraska, Iowa and into Minnesota and Wisconsin. Funds remain net-short the corn market. DTN's National Corn Index is $3.65 and 19 cents under the September futures.

The soy market was quiet to start the new week with soybeans trading to a slight loss late, while bean oil was slightly higher in two-sided trade and soymeal fell for the third consecutive day. Weather continues to be very favorable into the first half of September. Weekend rain in the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest and primary Corn Belt will be followed by a cooler and wetter pattern beyond Tuesday. The trade is awaiting news from the ongoing Pro Farmer tour which will conclude Thursday with a yield and production estimate. The calendar spread in beans is suggesting we could see another bump in soy yield in coming reports. Export business in the new-crop slot continues to be anemic with zero China soy purchases on the books so far. At a time when U.S. soy exporters usually find strong China buying interest, due to the tariff fight, it seems China has loaded up on more expensive South American beans. Domestically, soybean crush continues to be the bright spot with the July NOPA report showing a record large grind of 195.6 million bushels (mb). A recent farm advisory private tour of Iowa and Illinois revealed record large pod counts, and the DTN Digital Tour results from those two states would likely concur with call for record yields. The southern soybean harvest will likely begin just after the Labor Day weekend, with the large corn and soy crops expected to strain the storage system. Funds begin the new week with a modest bean short and bean oil long and a large soymeal net short of 109,000 contracts. DTN's National Soybean Index is $9.78 and 65 under the November futures.

A draft of the upcoming MAHA report, reportedly will not propose direct restrictions on ultra-processed foods and pesticides that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., called “major threats.” If it is adopted, the report on the health of America’s children will be good news for the food and agriculture industries, which feared much more restrictive proposals than the ones currently outlined in the draft. 

Kennedy, the Health and Human Services Secretary, has sought to change the nation’s diet by pushing the industries to make major changes through his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. The New York Times said industry regulators will work with ag stakeholders to make sure the public is aware of and confident in existing pesticide review procedures. However, it also said the administration will back research on technologies to help farmers reduce pesticide use and on the health impacts on the public.

Draft MAHA report shows no pesticide restrictions

U.S. wheat exports for 2025-2026 are forecast to increase by 25 million bushels this month, the highest since 2020, based on a strong pace of export sales and competitive pricing. Hard Red Winter Wheat exports are forecast to rise by 300 million bushels, with total commitments almost double from a year ago. That’s based on information from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Export Sales Database. 

With competitive pricing compared to other exporters, HRW sales have expanded to a wide variety of markets, most notably to Nigeria, Mexico, Venezuela, and Bangladesh. 

Export sales of Soft Red Winter Wheat and Durum are running slightly ahead of last year, and total exports of those classes are forecast to increase during the marketing year. Conversely, sales of Hard Red Spring and White currently lag behind last year’s pace and are forecast to be lower year to year. Total 2025-2026 wheat production is forecast at 1.93 billion bushels.

Wheat exports to rebound in the year ahead

December corn closed up 8 cents per bushel at $4.05 1/4 and March corn was up 8 1/2 cents at $4.22 1/2. November soybeans closed up 14 cents at $10.61 1/2 and January soybeans were up 13 1/4 cents at $10.42 1/2. September KC wheat closed up 2 3/4 cents at $5.07, September Chicago wheat was up 3 cents at $5.06 1/2 and December Minneapolis wheat was down 0.02 cents at $5.8975.

September corn rose 1 cent for the week to close at $3.83 3/4 and December corn finished down 1/4 cent at $4.05 1/4. September soybeans closed up 54 1/2 cents to end the week at $10.22 1/4 and November beans closed up 55 cents to finish at $10.42 1/2. Chicago September wheat finished down 8 at $5.06 1/2, KC September fell 11 1/4 cents to end at $5.07.  Minneapolis wheat ended down .0575 to end the week at $5.69 1/4.

Grain and soy markets closed stronger Friday with the exception of soymeal and Minneapolis wheat. Traders likely added back some weather premium due to the warmer and drier outlook for parts of the eastern and southern Midwest and Delta. The strength came despite the news that Brazil's corn and soy crops would both be record large. Kansas City and Chicago wheat had become extremely oversold and joined in Friday's rally effort.

The live cattle complex was back to rallying as traders were hopeful that the fed cash cattle market will indeed see higher prices in both regions this week. There was a thin movement of cattle traded in the North at mostly $384 to $386, which is $3.00 to $5.00 higher than last week's weighted average, Asking prices remain firm in the South at $237 plus, and there are bids currently on the table in Texas at $233, but again, no Southern live cattle have traded yet. Even so, traders are hopeful that the market will continue to see fundamental support, which is mainly why the contracts traded higher into Friday's close. Plus, it's helpful that boxed beef prices were rallying noticeably again today.

The feeder cattle complex was worried at the start of Friday's complex that the day's trade may be pressured like it was on Thursday. But thankfully, upon seeing the live cattle contracts trading higher, even the feeder cattle contracts traded significantly stronger into Friday's close.

At last, the lean hog complex traded higher as the market has finally seemed to find some technical support, which helped rally the contracts and the strong uptick in pork demand this morning was helpful too. The $14.87 rally in the belly is the biggest reason why the carcass price was higher, but every single one of the major cuts were trading higher and advancements of $2.00 to $5.00 were the norm this morning.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/15141605/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City area man was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for producing child pornography and possession of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

Cecil Pulluaim, 54, Raytown, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 35 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Pulluaim to serve supervised release for Life following his incarceration.

Pulluaim pleaded guilty to video recording and possessing images of his sexual abuse of a minor victim.&nbsp; 

According to the plea agreement, Pulluaim admitted to recording himself sexually abusing the minor victim on at least 10 separate dates between April 27, 2023, and June 15, 2023.&nbsp; In connection with their investigation of a report that the defendant had produced child pornography of the minor victim, officers with the Raytown Missouri Police Department located and seized the defendant’s cell phone.&nbsp;

 Pursuant to a search warrant, a forensic analysis of the phone by the United States Secret Service located the videos the defendant had produced of the minor victim, along with several photos the defendant made by taking screen shots of those videos.

KC area man admits producing videos of child pornography

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—One person died and a dozen others were injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Ford Transit van driven by Blake L&nbsp;Franklin, 43, Columbus, Ohio, was eastbound in the right lane of Interstate 70 just west of McFarland Road. The the driver lost control of the vehicle when the rear right tire blew. The van traveled into the center grass median and rolled. Two people were ejected.&nbsp;

Isaiah&nbsp; Adkins, 23, West Jefferson, Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Forensic Medical.

EMS transported Franklin and passenger Eric S. Brown, 23, Columbus, Ohio and Taylor D. Jackson, 30, Groveport, Ohio, to St. Francis in Topeka.&nbsp; 

EMS&nbsp; transported passengers Dominic J.&nbsp;Chavira, 28, Groveport, Ohio; Steven I&nbsp;Galloway, 26, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Tyrence&nbsp;Gibson, 20, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Maleik C. Gore, 28, Columbus, Ohio;&nbsp; Julius M. Hurst, 35, Columbus, Ohio; Roger J.&nbsp;Messer, 38, West Jefferson, Ohio;&nbsp; Temauni D.&nbsp;Moore, 29,&nbsp;Pataskala, Ohio and Victor Parks, 32, Columbus, Ohio to Stormont Vail. EMS transported Jonathan R.&nbsp; Price, 41, Columbus, Ohio, to KU Medical Center. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

One dead, 12 hospitalized after I-70 van rollover crash

Osawatomie, Larned superintendents outline reasons to keep private contract labor

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 — The state of Kansas invests more than $60 million annually to hire contract nursing staff to work at state psychiatric hospitals in Larned and Osawatomie, but the financial boost hasn’t closed job vacancy gaps exceeding 33% at both facilities.

On Tuesday, Kansas legislators on a special committee exploring contract nursing shared disappointment with results of years of stopgap appropriations to hire temporary nurses provided by private companies. The state also has devoted resources to raising salaries and providing bonuses to encourage state-employed nurses to remain at the hospitals.

Lawmakers expressed skepticism Kansas would ever have enough people to fill vacancies at state hospitals serving involuntarily committed or criminally charged individuals with mental health issues, as well as sexually violent offenders detained at Larned after serving prison sentences.

“In my experience, we’re not going to build this staff to take care of the number of people that are out there right now,” said Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican who chairs the Legislature’s interim health committee. “Prove me wrong, because I want to be wrong.”

Carpenter suggested consideration be given to transferring about 100 patients from Larned to other locations so staffing levels could be sustained without contract nurses. In 2027, Kansas is scheduled to open a new 104-bed state psychiatric hospital in Sedgwick County.

Expenditures at Larned State Hospital for nursing contract labor increased from $5.9 million in 2019 to $8.6 million in 2021, $43.1 million in 2023 and $46 million in 2025. At Osawatomie State Hospital, contract costs surged from $233,000 in 2019 to $3.2 million in 2021, $16 million in 2023 and $15.4 million in 2025. The job vacancy rate at Osawatomie stood at 35.5%, while the rate at Larned was 33.5%.

“I’ve been incredibly disappointed on how that’s worked,” Carpenter said.

Scott Brunner, deputy secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said the agency used state tax dollars to bring in dozens of registered nurses and licensed practice nurses to care for patients who generally had complex medical needs. Some require one-on-one care.

“To keep our bed count open at the levels that they are,” he said, “we have to have enough staff to make sure patients are safe.”

He said the starting salary for a registered nurse at the state hospitals was about $40 per hour. The state paid companies providing contract registered nurses $90 to $100 per hour to take on the same responsibilities, with the nurse receiving approximately two-thirds of the total.

“We certainly don’t think contract labor is a solution,” Brunner said. “It’s a way of addressing the need to keep beds open and keep patients moving through the system.”

He recommended the Legislature pass&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2237/" target="_blank">House Bill 2237</a>, which is hung up in the Senate, to place in state law the ability of state agencies to award employee bonuses in amounts up to $10,000 per year. He urged lawmakers to keep funding cost-of-living and market-rate adjustments to salaries so state hospitals could compete with the private sector for labor. The existing budget for contract nurses needs to be sustained, he said.

In addition, Brunner suggested the state expand college scholarships for nurses, consider providing nursing students with financial support in exchange for post-graduation employment agreements and provide training opportunities for experienced nurses to advance their careers.

Ashley Byram, superintendent of the Osawatomie hospital, said only half of the facility’s RNs, LPNs and mental health technicians were state employees. Here’s the split between state employee and agency contract workers at Osawatomie: RNs, 16 state and 16 private; LPNs, three state and 13 private; and mental health techs, 39 state and 33 private.

She said Osawatomie contract nurses were asked what it would take for them to accept state employment. The nurses weren’t interested in signing bonuses or housing allowances, she said, but were keen to earn salaries of at least $50 per hour. The average RN at Osawatomie has been paid $44 per hour, or $59 per hour when benefits were included.

“I would increase the salaries,” Byram said. “It’s the current wage gap between agency and state positions that is our primary obstacle.”

If the Legislature prohibited payment of contract nurses to staff the Osawatomie hospital, she said, the facility had enough nurses to make use of 43 beds. She said 116 beds at Osawatomie would be closed if contract nurses were removed and replacements weren’t hired.

Lindsey Topps, superintendent at Larned, said the hospital averaged 400 patients with more than half the total in a sexual predator treatment program.

“We have, I say, no fat on campus,” Topps said. “We’ve maximized the amount of residents or patients to the RNs and LPNs in order to provide safe and good patient care as well as follow the regulations.”

Here is the breakdown between state employees and contract laborers at Larned: Registered nurses, 17 state and 38 private; LPNs, nine state and 27 private; mental health workers or CNAs, 194 state and 179 private.

Topps said debate by the Legislature about reducing contract nursing labor should take into consideration the aggressive, disruptive, suicidal and homicidal conduct of people at Larned. She said most community-based health facilities didn’t have the staff or facilities to deal with individuals who ended up at the state hospital.

“We have some of the most severe mentally ill individuals in the state of Kansas,” Topps said.

During the 2025 legislative session, the House and Senate didn’t approve financing for new spending on contract nursing at the two state hospitals.

“Sometimes we set aside money because that feels good and we think that’s going to to do something,” said Sen. Beverly Gossage, a Republican from Eudora.

Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, said the state had a handful of initiatives designed to develop a Kansas pipeline of nurses who could fill jobs at state hospitals. She said the state spent millions of dollars so 2,700 high school students could take courses required to become a certified nursing assistant. She said only one-third of those students became CNAs.

“We’re paying to fill that pipeline, but it’s not translating,” she said. “It doesn’t appear like (it’s) actually reducing the demand and getting to the root of the problem. It doesn’t seem to be making the impact it should or we would hope it should.”

Kansas legislators despair about $60 million annual cost of contract nurses at psychiatric hospitals

SALINE COUNTY—A fire in rural Saline County caused thousands of dollars in damage.

Just before 9a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;&nbsp;a metal pole style building fire was reported at 6304 W. Thorstenberg Road, according to Saline County Sheriff's Captain Jim Hughes.

The fire destroyed 150 large round hay bales valued at $12,000, a Massey Ferguson swather with header valued at $40,000 and the 60-foot by 80-foot metal building.&nbsp; Owner, Miguel Contreras, did not have a value of the building.&nbsp;

The cause of the fire is suspected wet hays bales that spontaneously combusted, according to Hughes.

Sheriff: Thousands of dollars in damage after rural Kansas fire

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes in Manhattan.

Just after 2p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 46-year-old Jeremy Welch of Tucson, Arizona, on a Riley Count District Court warrant, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Welch is being held on a $100,000 bond on requested charges that include two counts of rape, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.&nbsp; The RCPD did not report where the crimes are alleged to have occurred.

Arizona man jailed for alleged child sex crimes in Manhattan

ICE facility is part of a multi-pronged state effort to help Trump enforcement expansion

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s version of the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” federal immigration detention center is being created in the roughly 7,500-resident city of McCook, Gov. Jim Pillen confirmed.

His announcement Tuesday was part of a multi-pronged push to support the Trump administration and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s ramped-up approach to deportation.

“We want President Trump to know that Nebraska is supportive and grateful for his ongoing, critical work with Secretary Noem to arrest and deport” migrants who commit crimes, Pillen said in a statement.&nbsp;

He said the assistance Nebraska offered to the Trump administration from the state and its law enforcement agencies was about “keeping Nebraskans and Americans across our country safe.”

Others, including some Nebraska lawmakers, criticized the state’s participation.

State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, whose district includes the food plant where a high-profile immigration raid on June 10 arrested 76 undocumented workers, said she was furious at the prospect of Nebraska becoming a home to a facility modeled after Alligator Alcatraz, the name given by Florida Republicans to an Everglades detention center.&nbsp;

She pledged protests all over the state, adding: “I don’t feel that’s an appropriate way for the immigrants to be treated. I’m pissed.”

State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of Omaha said the Governor’s Office had not shared details with him, including the type of funds or labor force numbers involved.&nbsp;Guereca said he saw better uses for the funds, wherever they might originate.

“We need to focus on building a stronger Nebraska for all,” he said. “Instead we’re ripping families apart and wreaking terror and havoc on a hard-working community that just wants to provide a better life for the next generation of Nebraskans.”

State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, said he was privy to a quick briefing on the state’s immigration enforcement efforts. He said he learned the federal government will fully reimburse Nebraska for costs, with reimbursement rates anticipated to exceed the daily costs.

Costs wouldn’t be passed on to Nebraskans, he said, adding that it’s still too early to quantify any potential savings through reduced state spending.

“I’m supportive of the president enforcing the law,” Clements said.&nbsp;

He said he was told the facility was to be used for low- to medium-security risk detainees.&nbsp;

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