A new exhibition opening this weekend at the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art will feature works from an artist originally from St. Joseph. 

Above the Fruited Plain features works from artist Jacqueline Bishop and opens on Friday at the art museum.

Executive Director Eric Fuson says Bishop grew up in St. Joseph but has lived in New Orleans for 50 years making her career for herself as an internationally recognized artist.

"Celebrated as one of the visionary imagist of contemporary American south, and that sounds like a mouthful, but what she really does is she incorporates what she's interested in," Fuson explains on the KFEQmunnity show.  "Which is environment, natural elements, to manmade elements like little dresses and things like that, she brings all that together in this imagery that makes you think, it makes you enjoy it as a beautiful thing."

Fuson says at the same time there is underlying content to the imagery that Bishop creates as well.   Fuson says during the opening Bishop will be present to talk to attendees. 

"The openings are really a fun way to kind of come in, meet an artist, and say what were you thinking when you did this almost," Fuson says.  "It's very comfortable, we have a wide range of people that come just to stop in for a few minutes or to hang out the whole time and just really walk through the museum, so it's just a great way to enjoy a Friday night."

The exhibition opening is free to attend to the public from 4 to 7pm on Friday at the museum.  Bishop will also host an artist talk on Saturday at the museum from 1 to 2 pm.

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

New Albrecht Kemper exhibit features work from St. Joseph born artist

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/harshawnratanpal/">Harshawn Ratanpal</a>

After a spring and summer of wet conditions throughout almost the entire state, drought is returning to Missouri.

<a href="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DmData/DataTables.aspx?state,mo" target="_blank">About 10%</a>&nbsp;of Missouri is now classified as abnormally dry,&nbsp;according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MO" target="_blank">U.S. Drought Monitor</a>, a map that tracks drought and updates weekly.

“We hadn’t had a week in July or August with a map that had no (drought) since 2019, so it was almost kind of rare to have that little drought concern across the whole state for what we see there,” State Climatologist Zack Leasor said. “But if you look at the past 30 days, there are some spots that are starting to dry out.”

Most of the dryness is appearing in the southern part of the state. While the map as only recorded dryness in the state for about a week, Leasor said he thinks some areas, particularly in the southeast Missouri Bootheel, have been drier for longer.

As state climatologist, Leasor is tasked with drafting recommendations for Missouri’s weekly drought assessment. When he was in the region last week, he saw drier conditions than what the Drought Monitor had been reflecting. That’s because drought assessment involves a variety of factors – including rainfall, streamflow and soil moisture – and there’s some data gaps in the Bootheel.

“(The Bootheel) is really characterized by high concentration of agriculture, but also it’s characterized by really cheap access to groundwater that recharges quite frequently,” Leasor said. “So as a result, you have a lot of irrigated agriculture.”

By irrigating their land with more water, farmers can cause the data obtained from soil gauges to be unreliable, Leasor said.

“In addition to that, the Bootheel doesn’t have a lot of natural hydrology,” he said. “When we talk about lakes or river systems there, a lot of it is kind of engineered, so not a lot of stream monitoring.”

Leasor is involved in<a href="https://www.drought.gov/news/missouri-leverages-partnerships-boost-soil-moisture-data-early-drought-and-flood-warnings-2025" target="_blank">&nbsp;a project</a>&nbsp;to install more soil moisture gauges across the state through a collaboration between the University of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbia.org/kbia-news/2025-08-13/running-dry-on-data-missouri-drought-hard-to-measure" target="_blank">KBIA</a>.&nbsp;

Running dry on data: Missouri drought hard to measure

CLINTON COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Thursday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford Edge driven by a 70-year-old St. Joseph man was southbound on MO 116 at 145th Road four miles south of Gower. As the driver attempted a u-turn, a westbound 2019 Kenworth 310 driven by a 36-year-old Jamesport man struck the Ford.

Tri-County EMS transported both drivers to Mosaic Life Care. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Driver from St. Joe injured in crash while attempting a u-turn

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

Missouri Western State University is gearing up for it's fall semester and preparing to welcome students new and old onto campus 

College can be a scary experience for those first time students, and MoWest will offer it's annual orientation next week to those new students to help them get acclimated to the college life. 

New Dean of Students Daniel Avegalio says Griffon Edge will take place August 22nd and August 23rd

"And that's for brand new students to get them acquainted to the campus," Avegalio says on the KFEQmunnity show.  "So we have them go through two full days of that time period where they get to meet resources and have an understanding of the college environment."

There is still time to enroll for the fall semester, with walk in registration on August 20th.  

Avegalio  says the university is excited to welcome students back, new and old, with welcome week happening the first week of classes

"During that whole week, during Welcome Week, we have an array of events taking place just to engage with students to let them know what we're providing to them," Avegalio explains.  "We're helping provide directions for them, so we have donuts for directions pretty much that we're giving donuts out to students throughout the first couple days, but really during that Welcome Week is to acquaint all students to the campus environment, welcome them back if they're returning, but we just have so many events taking place during Welcome Week but the key one is Western Warm up which is taking place the 27th."

The Western Warmup features several area businesses and resources that will help acclimate students to the community as well as the campus. 

The fall semester begins on August 25th. But, looking past the start of the fall semester though, there will be an opportunity for family to check in on their students, as just over two weeks later MoWest will hold Family Day on campus. 

Avegalio  says they are currently in the planning stages for the September 13th event

"I've heard amazing things about that event because we have a lot of activities to engage with the families, but also connecting them with resources and getting to meet parents as well," Avegalio says.  "Because I know there's that nervousness as a parent when you're sending your kids off to school for the first time, but now they're invited to come back to the campus and really see what we have to offer at MoWest."

The football team will take on Missouri S&amp;T that night at 6pm as one of the events.

MoWest preparing to welcome students back to campus for fall semester

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

The Kansas City Chiefs donated $25,000 on Tuesday to a political action committee supporting Republican candidates for the Missouri House.&nbsp;

The donation, the first major contribution the team made in Missouri this year, comes roughly two months after&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-kansas-city-stadium-funding-st-louis-disaster-aid/">the legislature approved a $1.5 billion stadium funding plan&nbsp;</a>aimed at convincing the Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri.

Last year, the team spent more than $3 million supporting a ballot measure seeking to extend a three-eights-cent sales tax to finance a renovation of Arrowhead Stadium and the construction of a new downtown ballpark for the Royals.&nbsp;

The Royals donated around $2.5 million to the effort, as well as $260,000 to various local political organizations.&nbsp;

However, voters resoundingly rejected the extension of the sales tax.

Tuesday’s $25,000 check went to the House Republican Campaign Committee. The same day, the PAC received $30,000 from Missouri Soybean Association; $10,000 from Mo Medical PAC; and $5,500 from state Rep. Dean Van Schoiack.

The Chiefs and Royals have played in side-by-side stadiums for five decades and share a lease at the Truman Sports Complex that runs through Jan. 31, 2031.&nbsp;As the expiration date nears, legislators in Missouri and Kansas have battled to present the best financial framework to attract the teams to their respective sides of the state line.&nbsp;

Missouri lawmakers approved legislation to allocate state taxes collected from economic activity at Arrowhead and Kauffman to bond payments for renovations at Arrowhead and a new stadium for the Royals in either Jackson or Clay counties.

The cost is estimated at close to $1.5 billion over 30 years and could cover up to half the costs of stadium construction.

Two Republicans state legislators filed a lawsuit late last month&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislators-file-lawsuit-claiming-stadium-funding-for-chiefs-royals-is-unconstitutional/">asking a judge to declare the incentives package unconstitutional</a>&nbsp;because it also includes provisions unrelated to stadium funding.

Kansas lawmakers have put a deal on the table that would use state incentives to pay for up to 70% of the costs of new stadiums. That deal originally expired June 30, but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/07/kansas-lawmakers-extend-deadline-for-chiefs-royals-to-accept-stadium-incentives/">Chiefs President Mark Donovan successfully lobbied for the deadline to be extended</a>&nbsp;in order to continue negotiations with Kansas on building a stadium, team headquarters, practice facility and related business developments.&nbsp;

Missouri House Republicans receive $25,000 donation from Kansas City Chiefs

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ranger side-by-side driven by a 15-year-old Galt boy was northbound on NE 2nd Street at NE 10th Street one mile east of Galt. The driver lost control of the vehicle. The driver overcorrected, the vehicle overturned and he was ejected.

Mizzou Health transported the boy to MU in Columbia. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

15-year-old hospitalized after UTV accident

As "Closing Time" blared from the speakers, the traditional final song of Training Camp, the Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their time in St. Joseph. 

Head Coach Andy Reid thanked everyone at Missouri Western State University for another successful camp on the St. Joseph campus

"The people up here have been phenomenal," Reid tells reporters following practice.  "They feed us, they house us, they baby us, they keep this field looking groomed like they do, and the facility cleaned up, and so we appreciate that."

Reid says the team really attacked this camp with the right frame of mind

"I mentioned it to them last night that there wasn't one of those days where we had a hiccup day, where everything was just not right, the biorhythms were down, we didn't have one of those," Reid explains.

While coming to St. Joseph might not be for some on the team, Patrick Mahomes says he actually likes coming here for camp

"It's like the best practice fields that you can possibly have and the weather kind of held off pretty well, except for like one day, it was pretty good weather all camp long," Mahomes says.  "Even though the dorms, I could do without the dorms, but everything else like I have fun out here and I'm excited now to get home and see my kids. but at the same time you kind of get away and you focus just on football and it kind of locks you in for whenever you go back you're in football season and you're not in that offseason."

Mahomes spent much of the final practice in St. Joseph during Chiefs Training Camp with the scout team, and not in his usual spot with the starters. 

Early indication from Reid is that Mahomes, along with some other starters, may not play in Friday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. 

Mahomes says he always wants to play, but at the end of the day he trusts Reid

"He has a reason for everything that he does, I'll be ready to play this week and if I get to play I'll be ready to go and if I don't, I'll be ready to go again the next week, and if I'm not I'll be just as energized on the sideline as I would be if I was playing in the game," Mahomes says.  "And so, I trust in Coach Reid fully, and so whatever his decision is I'll be ready to go out there and get the most I can out of it."

The Chiefs and Seahawks kick off at 9pm on Friday, pregame will air at 8 on Q Country 92.7.  Following the game, the Chiefs will return to their facility in Kansas City for the remainder of the preseason.

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

Kansas City Chiefs say goodbye to St. Joseph as Training Camp ends

December corn closed unchanged at $3.97 1/4 and March corn was down a penny at $4.14. November soybeans closed down 15 3/4 cents at $10.28 1/2 and January soybeans were down 14 1/2 cents at $10.48 1/4. September KC wheat closed down 2 1/2 cents at $5.04 1/4, September Chicago wheat was down 3 3/4 cents at $5.03 1/2 and December Minneapolis wheat was down 0.04 cents at $5.92.

The soybean market retreated Thursday, halting a 3-day rally, as did soy products. Both Chicago and Kansas City wheat fell to new contract lows before bouncing and corn was mixed to lower in quiet trade. December corn came within a half-cent of the low before stabilizing. Bean oil futures resumed the downtrend.

Even though the live cattle complex was grateful to close higher Wednesday afternoon and see fed cash cattle prices trade higher in the North. The market is struggled as the week's export report was lousy and traders are holding their breath, waiting to see if the complex falls below last Friday's close, which would be a bearish technical signal. Last Friday, the market traded as low as $225.60, which will be the threshold we need to continue to monitor. A few cash bids are on the table as live bids are being offered at $233 in Texas. Live bids are being offered in Nebraska at $245, but no trade has developed yet following Wednesday's movement in the Nebraska where dressed cattle were trading at $385, which is $4.00 higher than last week's weighted average.

And as one would logically expect, the feeder cattle complex also traded significantly lower after seeing the live cattle contracts duck and run. Traders believed that was the best route to send the feeder cattle contracts as well. Again, this decision is solely one being made on technical indications as demand in the countryside remains nearly unfathomable for feeder cattle. It's looking like the fed cash cattle market may be able to trade cattle for higher money this week, but time will tell.

The lean hog complex traded lower as well into Thursday's closing bell, as traders remain displeased about the morning's export report and didn't finding the morning's fundamental support to be sufficient enough to keep steady. The cutout's biggest problem this morning was the $4.96 decline in the picnic.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/14144813/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The USDA reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for fall-planted crops. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are September 1 and September 30. Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2026 crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the applicable sales closing date. 

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency lists sales closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser, under the “Dates” tab. Producers can also access the RMA Information Reporting System tool to specifically identify applicable dates for their operation, using the “Insurance Offer Reports” application. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the U.S. rural economy. 

Crop insurance deadline drawing closer

Recent data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers showed Canadian sales of combines grew 11.4 percent in July 2025 compared to July of last year. Canadian sales of two-wheel-drive tractors also increased slightly, growing three percent in July 2025 compared to July 2024. U.S. sales of combines fell 43 percent, while total agricultural tractor sales fell by 4.9 percent in July 2025 compared to last year. 

“While we are encouraged by the modest growth in Canadian combine and tractor sales, the significant declines in the U.S. reflect ongoing caution in the marketplace,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “We believe North American farmers are carefully evaluating their capital assets and taking a measured approach to equipment purchases, balancing operational needs with broader economic uncertainty.” The biggest drop in the U.S. was in self-propelled combine sales, dropping almost 44 percent from July 2024.

U.S. combine sales continue to decline while Canadian sales rise 

December corn closed up 2 3/4 cents per bushel at $3.97 1/4 and March corn was up 2 3/4 cents at $4.15. November soybeans closed up 11 1/2 cents at $10.44 1/4 and January soybeans were up 12 cents at $10.62 3/4. September KC wheat closed down 4 cents at $5.06 3/4, September Chicago wheat was up 2 1/4 cents at $5.07 1/4 and MIAX December Minneapolis wheat was up 0.01 cents at $5.9600.

Soybeans continued to move higher Wednesday, again reacting to the surprise cut in harvested acres and lower production despite a record yield as reflected in Tuesday's USDA report. Wheat in Chicago fell to a new low and Kansas City came within a penny of the same fate. Corn was able to bounce slightly following the Tuesday beatdown.

Following the supportive trade that developed earlier this week for live cattle, traders are again twiddling their fingers, seeming to have the mindset that again asks: now what? On one hand, traders would like to continue to support the complex and push prices higher, but at the same time, they don't want to become overly aggressive and overextend the futures complex. So, as the market nears midday Wednesday, a mixed attitude has taken over the contracts as the nearby contracts are trading higher, but the deferred months are a tick more cautious and trading lower.

The feeder cattle complex is walking back some of its position following Tuesday's sporty jump as traders are concerned that there might not be enough technical support to keep prices trading higher. Some stronger sales were just noted in the Fed cash cattle market, which could help change traders' attitude, but that's yet to be seen.&nbsp;

The lean hog complex is trading lower even though the midday cutout report showed strong pork interest and the midday cash hog report showed stronger packer demand. Even so, the lean hog contracts are trading lower as technical pressure remains the issue for the market. October lean hogs are down $1.37 at $90.22, December lean hogs are down $1.45 at $82.35 and February lean hogs are down $1.45 at $85.12. It was interesting to see that the belly and the picnic jumped up over $6.00 higher on today's midday report.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/16201542/30001.mp3">Click HERE for Audio</a>

Mexico has set minimum export prices for its fresh tomatoes to protect its domestic production and ensure internal supply after a bilateral agreement with the U.S. expired. Mexico’s economy and agriculture ministries made the announcement in a joint statement after Washington withdrew from a 2019 deal between the two countries, which regulated Mexican tomato exports to the U.S. 

On July 14, the Trump administration announced a duty of about 17 percent on fresh tomato imports from Mexico. The new pricing rules apply exclusively to definitive exports, but they don’t restrict export volumes or impose maximum prices. The Mexican ministries said prices will be reviewed every year or sooner if market conditions suddenly demand it. “This action reinforces the government’s commitment to agricultural competitiveness, dignified rural employment, and food sovereignty,” the ministries said. Minimum export prices per kilogram include $1.70 for cherry and grape tomatoes and 88 cents for Roma tomatoes.

Mexico Sets Minimum Export Prices for Fresh Tomatoes

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association notched a legal victory affirming protections for cattle farmers and ranchers from onerous and unnecessary air emissions reporting requirements. NCBA and a coalition of farm groups have engaged in the litigation for years to ensure that family farmers and ranchers were not forced to file complex, overreaching reports with the federal government about emissions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). 

“CERCLA and EPCRA were intended to address the worst industrial and toxic chemicals, not govern family farms and ranches,” said Kaitlynn Glover, executive director of the Public Lands Council. ‘The decision affirms that family cattle producers shouldn’t have to file reports for a natural, biological process under a law meant for significant chemical contaminants.” She also said NCBA and the other groups “stepped up” to protect family farms and ranches through this litigation.

Legal Victory Protects Cattle Producers from Emissions Regulations

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday extending a deadline for higher tariffs on Chinese imports until November. Officials from the U.S. and China first ended tariff tit-for-tat in May after duty rates on both sides reached triple digits. The latest deadline was set to expire on Tuesday (today). The executive order sets the new deadline for higher duties on November 10. 

“The U.S. continues to have discussions with China to address the lack of trade reciprocity in our economic relationship and our resulting national and economic security concerns,” the order reads. “Through these discussions, China continues to take significant steps toward remedying non-reciprocal trade arrangements and addressing the concerns of the United States.” 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides are expected to meet later this year to continue discussions. Over the weekend, the president said he’s hopeful China will “quadruple” its U.S. soybean purchases.

China Tariff Truce Extended

December corn closed down 13 1/4 cents per bushel at $3.94 1/2 and March corn was down 13 cents at $4.12 1/4. November soybeans closed up 21 1/2 cents at $10.32 3/4 and January soybeans were up 21 1/4 cents at $10.50 3/4. September KC wheat closed down 8 1/4 cents at $5.10 3/4, September Chicago wheat was down 10 cents at $5.05 0/1 and September Minneapolis wheat was down 0.005 cents at $5.7725.

In atypical fashion from their usual conservative approach to revising yield and production early, USDA truly shocked most traders Tuesday. Granted there were private forecasts with a similar yield in the past few weeks, but no one saw the 7.8 bushel per acre increase from last month that the August report put forth. That shot the national production estimate to a record large 16.742 bb and sent corn to big losses.

The biggest news for the live cattle complex was undoubtedly the wild rally in midday boxed beef prices, which were not up mildly, but up a dramatic $8.50 for choice and up $5.39 for select. Thankfully, this positive fundamental development helped drive the live cattle contracts higher as all of the contracts traded more than $2.00 higher into Tuesday's closing bell. Still no news has developed in the cash cattle complex as no bids or asking prices have been posted.

Tuesday's WASDE report was rather bullish for the beef and cattle markets of 2025. Beef production for 2025 was decreased by 262 million pounds as both fed and non-fed cattle slaughter speeds have been reduced and carcass weights have decline slightly as well. But the major jaw-dropping data in the report was the quarterly steer price projections. Steer prices in the third quarter of 2025 are expected to average $238 (up $12.00 from last month's estimate), fourth quarter steer prices are expected to average $240 (up $11 from last month's estimate), steer prices in the first quarter of 2026 are expected to average $242 (up $15 from last month's estimate) and steer prices in the second quarter of 2026 are expected to average $243 (up $15 from last month's estimate). 2025 beef imports were reduced by 103 million pounds as tariff restrictions are expected to limit Brazilian beef imports. And 2025 beef exports were reduced by 46 million pounds as supplies remain tight domestically.

Keeping with stronger tone of Monday, the feeder cattle complex traded sharply higher into Tuesday's close. As seen Monday afternoon through the day, the CME feeder cattle index closed at $$341.04, up $3.83 from the previous day. Feeder cattle demand remains red hot in the countryside as buyers still have orders to fill and they know supplies aren't going to become numerous anytime soon.

With both pork cutout values and cash prices lower this morning, it comes as no real surprise that the lean hog complex traded lower for the bulk of the session. And with the spot October contract nearing resistance pressure (at $92.50), it's unlikely that without robust fundamental support, the contracts are going to trade higher and challenge that threshold.

Tuesday's WASDE report shared mostly positive news for the pork and hog markets of 2025. Pork production for 2025 was reduced by 557 million pounds as chain speeds have been and are expected to remain slower, and carcass weights are lighter as well. Luckily, the quarterly price projections saw an increase compared to last month's report as hog prices in the third quarter of 2025 are expected to average $77 (up $1.00 from last month's estimate), hog prices in the fourth quarter of 2025 are expected to average $67 (up $2.00 from last month's estimate), hog prices in the first quarter of 2026 are expected to average $64 (unchanged from last month's estimate) and hog prices in the second quarter of 2026 are expected to average $69 (up $1.00 from last month's report). Pork imports for 2025 were decreased by 9 million pounds, but pork exports for 2025 were increased by 9 million pounds.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/12142811/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Several key agriculture programs that Republicans didn’t get in the reconciliation bill will expire soon. reports say  a farm bill battle is coming in the fall because Republicans will likely need Democrats’ help to construct a smaller farm bill. While the One Big Beautiful Bill took care of much of the farm bill, the deep cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will make it harder to get the legislation over the finish line. 

“I still think there’s hope,” said Senate Ag Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar at Farmfest in Minnesota. “There’s hope, because we still have other work to do.” In the House, Ag Chair GT Thompson wants to release some legislative text in September, but that will depend on how quickly the staff work gets done in August. Ranking Member Angie Craig said they’re in the “very early stages” of discussing what they’d like to see in the skinny farm bill. 

Lawmakers in early “Skinny Farm Bill” discussions

Clean Fuels Alliance America filed comments with the Environmental Protection Agency on the “Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2026 and 2027.” Clean Fuels expressed appreciation for the EPA’s intent to provide consistent RFS growth in recognition of U.S. farmers’, feedstock providers’, and biomass-based producers’ investments in new capacity. EPA proposes a robust step-change in biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuel volumes beginning in 2026. 

The agency projects the requirement to reach 5.61 billion gallons in 2026, which is more than two billion gallons higher than in 2025. “The proposal is a welcome signal to U.S. farmers and biofuel producers, and we are ready to meet these higher volumes with domestically-produced fuel,” Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels Vice President of Federal Affairs, said, “The industry supplied over five billion gallons of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF in 2024, and we’re poised to deliver more in 2026.” 

Clean Fuels asks EPA to sustain robust biodiesel volumes

JOHNSON COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a restaurant fire in Overland Park.

Just after 2a.m. Thursday, crews&nbsp;battled a fire at Torreador Restaurant, 79th and Floyd, according to a social media report from Overland Park Fire Department.

&nbsp;The fire was quickly extinguished. There was smoke and fire damage to the restaurant and adjoining bookstore. There were no injuries.&nbsp;

Overland Park Consolidated Fire District #2 and Lenexa Fire responded to the scene.

Crews battle fire at Kansas restaurant

STONE COUNTY —A teen drowned just after 11a.m. Thursday at Table Rock Lake.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 16-year-old from Panama was swimming between the docs at Kimberling City, Little North Indian Creek. The boy disappeared beneath the surface approximately 50-feet from the dock.&nbsp; 

Stone County Fire crews utilized an underwater drone to locate him. He was recovered by a fire department diver pronounced dead at the scene. The Patrol no longer releases names of drowning incidents.

16-year-old drowns at Table Rock Lake

FRANKLIN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Franklin County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Freightliner semi driven by Zachary Williams, 29, Liberty, Tennessee, was northbound on Interstate 35 just south of Sand CreekRoad in the outside lane.

The semi drifted through the inside lane, crossing the grass median, entered the southbound lanes and struck a southbound 2020 Freightliner semi driven by Thomas&nbsp;Romero, 52,&nbsp;Albuquerque, New Mexico. After impact the 2023 semi came to rest in the west ditch and became fully engulfed in flames.

Williams was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Forensic Medical. EMS transported Romero to KU Medical. Williams was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Driver dies after wrong-way semi crash, fire on Kansas highway

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The U.S. Department of Education is investigating four Kansas school districts after a right-wing nonprofit complained about their policies allowing teachers to maintain confidentiality with transgender students.

Topeka, Shawnee Mission, Olathe and Kansas City, Kansas, public school districts are under investigation for potentially violating Title IX and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, the department said in a Thursday press release.

The education secretary, Linda McMahon, said the districts’ alleged violations are an affront to the law and educational leadership.

“School personnel should not confuse and unsettle young girls by forcing them to share sex-separated sports and intimate facilities with boys,” McMahon said, “nor should school personnel abuse their position of authority by hiding sensitive information pertaining to a child’s health and wellbeing from that child’s parents.”

She vowed a vigorous investigation into the four districts.

Those school districts allegedly allow students to participate in sports and use restrooms and locker rooms based on gender identity instead of biological sex, said the initial complaint from the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies, a conservative nonprofit founded by two former Trump administration officials. Kansas law already prohibits transgender and cisgender girls from playing sports together and bans transgender girls from school locker rooms and bathrooms.

The district policies under investigation also allow educators to maintain confidentiality with transgender students, which in some cases means not disclosing a student’s gender identity to their parents without the student’s consent.

In a 35-page complaint detailing the districts’ gender identity practices and policies, the institute encouraged the federal department to pull funding from the districts, listing court decisions, a January presidential executive order, federal law and state law as justification.

The institute alleges Shawnee Mission, Topeka and Kansas City, Kansas, districts violated Title IX “by forcing students to share intimate facilities with members of the opposite sex as a condition of participation in their education programs and activities,” the complaint said. It argues that the districts’ gender identity policies “erase” sex.

All four schools, the complaint argues, are allegedly in violation of FERPA, which prohibits districts from preventing parental access to student educational records.

The districts “are undermining parents’ rights to access their children’s educational records and appear to be distributing the information contained therein to employees with no legitimate educational interest in these records without parental consent,” the complaint said.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wrote a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showdocument?id=24580&amp;t=638863684518261138" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to McMahon in June, urging the department to investigate. He said in a Thursday announcement that Title IX was created to safeguard girls’ equal educational opportunities.

Kobach had previously sent letters to six Kansas school districts in 2023, criticizing gender identity policies and practices.

“It would be arrogant beyond belief to hide something with such weighty consequences from the very people (parents) that both law and nature vest with providing for a child’s long-term well-being,” he wrote in the December 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/10474/638460589512800000" target="_blank">letter</a>. “That a Kansas school district could so cavalierly allow&nbsp;a minor child—whom science tells us does not even have a fully formed brain until into his or her twenties—to decide whether his or her parents know about such things is shockingly irresponsible.”

Two school districts reportedly modified their policies, Kobach said, but four did not. Those four districts are the subject of the recent complaint.

Kobach also sued the Biden administration in federal court in 2024 to challenge new rules that strengthened antidiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students and expanded the definition of sexual harassment at colleges and schools. A federal judge eventually&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/07/03/kansas-judge-issues-injunction-blocking-new-federal-anti-discrimination-rules-in-education/">blocked</a>&nbsp;the rules from taking effect in Kansas.

“I am grateful that we now have a federal government that takes Title IX seriously and will ensure that school districts follow the law,” Kobach said.

Title IX is enforced by the federal department’s Office of Civil Rights and FERPA is enforced by the department’s Student Privacy Policy Office.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said in a statement the investigation and complaint illustrate “how out of touch Republicans are with reality and with what is happening in our school buildings.”

“These vague, unspecified claims are a witch hunt and a distraction from providing a world-class education,” said Sykes, whose Senate district sits within the Shawnee Mission school district.

She said the investigations are a distraction “from the real issues that are impacting our students right now,” including access to mental and physical health care, food access for families and school funding threats.

U.S. education dept. launches investigation into Kansas schools’ gender identity policies

KANSAS CITY— Law enforcement are investigating a fatal crash following an attempted traffic stop that occurred&nbsp; just after midnight Wednesday.

A police sergeant attempted to initiate a car check of a stolen white Hyundai Tucson in the area of Independence Avenue and Brooklyn in Kansas City, Missouri, according to.Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The Hyundai refused to stop for the Sergeant and the Sergeant ended his attempt to stop the Hyundai in the area of Independence and Wabash. 

The Hyundai was last seen traveling northbound on Wabash at a high rate of speed with no patrol units pursuing it. In the area of Lexington and Wabash, the Hyundai driver failed to stop for the posted stop sign, entered the intersection and struck a westbound silver Jeep Grand Cherokee.

 The driver, front seat passenger, left rear seat passenger, and middle seat juvenile passenger of the Jeep were all transported to local hospitals with critical injuries. 

The right rear passenger of the Jeep was ejected from the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and later was&nbsp; pronounced deceased by hospital staff, according to Gonzalez.

The driver and rear seat passenger of the Hyundai were both transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. The front seat passenger of the Hyundai was uninjured in the collision. The surviving driver and the surviving passengers of the Jeep are all currently in critical condition. The driver and passenger of the Hyundai are both currently in stable condition This is fatality #46 compared to #59 at this time last year according to&nbsp; Gonzalez.

KCPD: 1 dead after driver of SUV fled traffic stop

&nbsp;Danny Zeck, a member of the Kansas State Board of Education, appears at a July 8, 2025, board meeting. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA — Judith Deedy said there’s been a disconnect for a decade in Kansas’ student assessment scores.

Her oldest child once earned fives — the highest level at the time — until 2015, when she began scoring at level three after the assessment scores changed.

“The Kansas assessment has persistently been an outlier for all of the three children in my own family and for thousands of students across the state, as data has shown,” Deedy, a public education advocate, said at a Tuesday meeting of the Kansas State Board of Education.

State assessment scores have shown a steady increase in the number of Kansas students scoring lower on math, science and English language arts tests since 2016, while achieving marks of post-secondary success, such as higher education degrees and military careers.

The state education board voted 7-3 on Tuesday to change assessment cut scores in the 2025-2026 school year, broadening the scoring range and shrinking the tests. Board members Michelle Dombrosky, Connie O’Brien and Debby Potter voted against resetting the scores.

In partnership with the University of Kansas and with input from nearly 150 educators, the Kansas State Department of Education crafted new metrics for the assessment tests students periodically take in English language arts, math and science throughout their school careers.

Cut scores divide performance levels, reflecting student achievement.

Following the board’s vote, cut scores are undergoing an expansion. Previously, the scoring scale ranged from 220-380, with cutoffs varying by grade, level and subject.

Now, the lowest obtainable score is 400 across all grades and subjects, and the highest is 700. Level two cuts off at 510, and the level three cutoff is 540 for all grades and subjects. The level four cutoff varies by grade and subject.

In May, the board approved new performance definitions for each level. Previously, scores fell into the following levels: limited, basic, effective and excellent. Now, “limited” and “basic” remain for levels one and two, but “effective” was changed to “proficient” and “excellent” to “advanced.”

Beth Fultz, director of career standards and assessment services for the education department, addressed the board before its vote. She said it “was an opportunity to impact Kansas education for several years to come.”

Beryl New, a board member from Topeka, said she has heard from constituents who are concerned the state education department is lowering standards.

Fultz responded that the change is more of a realignment of expectations for student performance.

“I do believe we are not reducing the rigor on this assessment,” Fultz said.

The state education commissioner, Randy Watson, said the department brought to the table “a scientifically based process that’s nationally recognized,” and came from the voices of teachers. He assured the board that the new scores still set the highest expectations for Kansas kids.

Deedy, who spoke during the board’s public forum section at the beginning of the meeting, said the old cut scores overshot a desire to be aspirational.

“Adjusting cut scores is not lowering our standards,” Deedy said, ”but rather improving the predictability and reliability of this point-in-time assessment to more accurately reflect student achievement levels.”

Danny Zeck, a board member from Leavenworth, said he struggles with assessments. He said he was once what he called “a level one kid.”

Zeck, following a long pause, said: “The problem I have with level one, two, three and four is that level one person wakes up sometime and they’re gonna be successful.”

He also encouraged parents, if they do not agree with the new cut scores, to exempt their students from participating in assessments.

“C’mon, people,” he said. “If you really dislike it, opt them out. It’s not a rocket science deal.”

Kansas state education board expands scoring range for student assessments

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating what police now believe is accidental shooting in Lawrence.

Just before 7p.m. Wednesday police found several people in and around the apartment&nbsp; near 19th and Naismith, according to a media release.&nbsp; One man had been shot in the abdomen. Officers worked to slow the bleeding and provide other lifesaving measures until medics from Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical arrived. 

Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene and detectives brought several witnesses in for questioning. The victim was transported to a trauma center by ambulance.&nbsp;The man who fired the gun is cooperating with police.&nbsp; Police released no additional details late Wednesday.

Police: Kansas man hospitalized after accidental shooting

MORGAN COUNTY —A 2-year-old girl drowned just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday at Lake of the Ozarks.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the child wandered away from home located at 10.2 of the Gravois Arm of the lake. She was discovered face-up in the lake and transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital. 

She was pronounced deceased just after 12:30p.m. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2-year-old wandered from home, drowns at Lake of the Ozarks

KANSAS CITY —Three people were rescued from apartment building fire in Kansas City on Wednesday.

Just before 6a.m. Wednesday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported building fire in the 4100 block of Pennsylvania in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders reported heavy fire from the second floor of a three-story multi-use building. The building contained commercial space on the first floor and apartments on the second and third. 

Crews initiated interior operations and conducted three successful rescue operations. Additional searches of the structure came back all clear. All three patients were transported in stable condition to be evaluated for smoke inhalation. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.

Three rescued from apartment fire in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY –&nbsp;<a></a>A Kansas City, Missouri man was sentenced to four years of imprisonment in federal court for conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons and illegally trafficking firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.

Antonio Manning, Sr., 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 48 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.&nbsp;The court also ordered the defendant to pay a criminal forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $11,260.

On April 14, 2025, Antonio Manning admitted that he knowingly and willfully joined in an agreement to sell firearms to individuals who were prohibited from possessing them under federal law.&nbsp; According to the plea agreement, the defendants trafficked at least 22 firearms to persons who were known felons or they sold firearms that were converted into unregistered machineguns in violation of federal law.&nbsp; Pursuant to the plea agreement, Antonio Manning admitted that he was personally involved in illegally selling at least nine firearms and one of those firearms was an unregistered machinegun.

On Jan. 22, 2025, co-defendant Sheron Manning, the brother of Antonio Manning, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons and to one count of illegally trafficking a firearm that had been converted into an unregistered machinegun.&nbsp; On May 21, 2025, Sheron Manning, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 57 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On April 07, 2025, co-defendant Michael Dewayne Hardy, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons, to one count of illegally trafficking a firearm that had been converted into an unregistered machinegun, and one count of knowingly being a felon in possession of firearms.&nbsp; On June 26, 2024, Michael Dewayne Hardy, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 70 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Local

Region

Sports

Agriculture