The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's office is partnering with the St. Joseph School District to tackle a growing problem of truancy.  

Since the coronavirus pandemic, the school district has struggled to get close to its goal of 90-percent attendance and has called on the prosecuting attorney's office to assist.  

Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Davidson says her office has tools it can lean on to try to get parents to get their kids into school, including a major state law 

"There’s a law out there that stateas a parent or guardian is required to make sure their children attend school on a regular basis,” Davidson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “And so that is simply one of the tools that is in our toolbox that can be utilized to try to increase the attendance for some of these children that just aren’t getting to school like they should be.”  

Davidson says there's no one specific problem that makes students miss school, saying some have legitimate medical reasons.  

"What we’re focusing on though is the children that aren’t attending school and when we try to reach out to the parents to find out what’s going on we get ignored, we’re met with hostility on I just can’t get my child up in the morning, something along that line,” Davidson explains.  “And to us that is clearly in violation of the law where a parent or guardian needs to be getting their children to school.” 

Davidson says communication with parents is key to getting students back to school, helping to find solutions to fix the reasons that the child has not been in class.  

The prosecuting attorney's office has designated a person to contact parents of students with attendance problems, focused on finding solutions to get the student in the classroom.  

Davidson says the key to finding solutions is communication with families  

"If it's a transportation issue, let the school know so that they can work with the parent, if it’s a health issue and they just haven’t been communicating, contact the school, provide the information to the school so they know what’s going on with the child,” Davidson says.  “Communication is key, prosecution is the last thing we want to have to do.” 

Missouri law requires parents to guarantee children to attend school on a regular basis.  A conviction can end in a jail sentence of 15 days or a fine of up to 750 dollars.  

Since the coronavirus pandemic, the school district has struggled to get close to its goal of 90% attendance, which prompted the expanded partnership with the prosecuting attorney's office. 

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

St. Joseph School District seeks help in battle against truancy

St. Joseph Board
of Education President, LaTonya Williams, is now a candidate for the Missouri
House.

Williams says she
was approached a couple of years ago about running for the state legislature.
She then began to pay more attention to the work of the legislature in
Jefferson City.

“I’m in the middle
of my second term (on the Board of Education) and I know all too well about the
shortfalls of the state when it comes to public education,” Williams tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Williams, who is
executive director of the Bartlett Center, says her priorities will be
education, health care, jobs, and safety.

Williams says she
plans to run a grass roots campaign and would seek to better represent the
residents of the district if elected.

“And that just
means a government that works for the actual people you represent and not any
other group, special interest, anything like that,” Williams says. “I live in
this community.”

The 10th
state representative district incorporates the heart of St. Joseph, extending
out the Rosecrans Memorial Airport.

Williams says she
understands she is taking on a tough task.

“I completely
understand, you know, that as a Democrat I’ll be looked at as an underdog and I
know that I will not be able to raise as much money as the other party. I
already know that,” Williams says. “Okay, but the thing about it is it’s not
about who’s got the most money or the more connections, it’s about the voters,
it’s about the vote.”

Williams urges St.
Joseph voters to closely watch the workings of the Missouri General Assembly,
which is in the firm control of Republicans.

“If you’re looking
at things now and how they’re going, do we want more of that or do we want to change?
If we want to change, then I’m the person.”

The 10th
currently is representative by Republican Bill Falkner who cannot run again due
to term limits.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph school board president, LaTonya Williams, running for legislature

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

Nearly 50
citations were issued, 39 warnings given, and three driving-while-intoxicated
arrests made during a law enforcement saturation effort in St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph
Police Department says its officers worked with Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers
over the weekend to make multiple felony arrests and clear eight outstanding
warrants, including one felony warrant.

Four drivers fled
officers, but were apprehended with help from the Missouri State Highway Patrol
helicopter. They face charges ranging from aggravated fleeing and resisting
arrest to investigation of receiving stolen property.

“This operation
reflects our unwavering commitment to keeping our streets safe,” St. Joseph
Police Chief Paul Luster said in a written statement released by the department.
“I want to personally thank the dedicated officers and troopers who
participated in this mission. Their professionalism and focus on community
safety were evident throughout the operation. We are also deeply grateful to
the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their critical support, especially their
helicopter that added an extra layer of safety for both officers and community
members.”

In all, officers
and troopers conducted 57 traffic stops, issuing 49 citations, 39 warnings, and
three DWI citations.

St. Joe saturation results in nearly 50 citations

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Monday in the 400 block South U.S.73 Highway in Atchison.

A 2003 Toyota Highlander driven by Gary Bewley, 72, Atchison, was exiting a parking lot on the east side of U.S. 73, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The Toyota and a northbound 2003 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Walter Pierce, 61, Atchison, collided.

EMS transported Bewley to Amberwell Hospital for examination.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Kan. man hospitalized after pickup, SUV crash

Transport 360, LLC has issued an invitation for
bid for the purchase of a material handler for the St. Joseph, MO Port
Authority Terminal located at 1616 Stockyards Expy., St. Joseph, MO 64501. 

A pre-bid meeting with optional attendance is
scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm (CST),&nbsp;located at the
project site. Final bids will be due on October 24, 2025 at 2:00 pm (CST). For
complete project details,&nbsp;please contact Aaron Khouri at <a href="mailto:AaronKhouri@Transport360.org">AaronKhouri@Transport360.org</a>.

Transport 360, LLC will receive sealed bids for the procurement of
a material handler until 2:00 PM CST on 10/24/2025 at Transport 360, LLC, 1616
Stockyards&nbsp;Expy. – St. Joseph, MO 64501, or by electronic submission to <a href="mailto:AaronKhouri@Transport360.org">AaronKhouri@Transport360.org</a>, at
which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Bidders are invited to submit proposals for the supply of the
following equipment and services: Large dry bulk material handler as well as
transportation of the machine from origin to 1616 Stockyards Expy. – St.
Joseph, MO 64501.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting and site inspection will be held
on 10/9/2025,&nbsp;1:00 PM CST at 1616 Stockyards Expy. – St. Joseph, MO 64501.
&nbsp;

Electronic Contract Documents may be obtained by contacting Aaron
Khouri at (901) 409-3962 or <a href="mailto:AaronKhouri@Transport360.org">AaronKhouri@Transport360.org</a>.
No deposit is required. Documents will be provided via email.

Contractors must pay workers no less than the minimum wages set by
the Missouri Division of Labor Standards Annual Wage Order. Additionally, they
must ensure equal employment opportunity by prohibiting discrimination based on
race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, age, or ancestry.

Contractors must comply with Missouri’s E-Verify law and OSHA
10-hour construction safety training requirements for all on-site employees
within 60 days of beginning work.

Failure to substantially complete the project by November 21st,
2025 will result in liquidated damages of $750 per calendar day beyond the
deadline.

Transport 360 reserves the right to reject any or all Bids or to
waive any informality in the bidding. Bid awards will be made to the lowest
responsible bidder,&nbsp;considering conformity with specifications, delivery
terms, quality, serviceability, experience, and performance history.

Bids may be held by Transport 360 for a period not to exceed 45
days from the date of opening for the purpose of reviewing and investigating
qualifications prior to awarding the Contract

Transport 360 invitation for bid for material handler St. Joseph Port Authority

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Monday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1993 GMC Sierra driven by a 57-year-old Waynesville man was southbound on Route EE eight miles north of New Hampton. The pickup traveled off the west side of the road into a creek. The vehicle struck an embankment and came to rest partially submerged.

Grand River EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Albany. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missoui man injured after pickup crash into creek

MERER COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Monday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp;2024 Can-am Commander driven by a 52-year-old Princeton man was eastbound on U.S. 36 at Route CC six miles east of Mount Moriah. The UTV traveled off the south side of the road and the driver overcorrected.. The vehicle returned to the road , crossed the center line and overturned.

Mercer County ambulance transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man hospitalized after UTV overturns

St. Joseph school
officials aren’t just looking at reducing the number of buildings in the
district, they are looking to reduce staff.

St. Joseph School
District Human Resources Director, Mark Korell, says the district’s staff is
its most valuable commodity.

“We want to ensure
that they’re taken care of,” Korell tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Again, I know
we can say it over and over, there’s still going to be fear, but we want to,
once we have a general idea of which direction that we are going to go, we want
to meet with our staff members face-to-face.”

A drop in
enrollment has led to a fall in funding. The St. Joseph Board of Education has
asked the staff to review two possible resizing options, which would reduce the
number of St. Joseph public high schools from three to two. Once the board
decides, the district then will move to reduce its staff through attrition.

Korell says his
office will be meeting with teachers, primarily to listen.

“When it comes to
a possible transfer due to reorganization, we want to hear their voice, not let
them sit there and wait on where they’re going to be reassigned,” Korell says. “We
want them to, at least, possibly have a choice. It might not be ideal for
everybody, but just kind of listen to their concerns.”

St. Joseph School
Superintendent, Ashly McGinnis, says the drop in enrollment has had an impact
on the district’s finances. McGinnis says the district must reduce its staff,
because personnel make up 75% of the budget. She says by the time the district
lure of its current financial reality, it already had issued contracts to
teachers and staff.

“Contracts were
out, letters of intent were out and so we have to look strategically now at our
budget and then, hopefully through attrition, get there in the next two years to
where we need to be,” McGinnis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

The St. Joseph
School District pupil count has dropped below 10,000 for the first time in
modern history.

With enrollment falling, St. Joseph School District looks to cut staff

The fall season brings increased deer movement, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol wants drivers to be on the lookout.  

Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H says this time of year at any time of the day you can see deer along the roadway 

"Primarily early morning, and then as well at dusk, seems like to be the more prevalent times,” Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Hux says with harvest season happening deer are being pushed out of their habitats.  He says it is also the deer’s mating season which adds to their movement.  

Hux says if you come across a deer in the roadway, you should not try to swerve to avoid it 

"Cause what we see a lot of is people that swerve to miss a deer, then their vehicle travels off the roadway, they overcorrect, and it causes the vehicle to overturn,” Hux explains.  “So the crash turns into a serious crash when it could have been maybe a minor crash because they struck the deer.” 

Hux says instead, if you see a deer, you should be sure to decrease your speed and maintain a visual on the deer.  Hux also says if you can't get stopped, sometimes it's better to just hit the deer, rather than risk more serious injury.  

Hux says if you do hit a deer, you might not have to report it for insurance, but you should still contact the highway patrol 

"We also want to make sure that that deer carcass is not still in the roadway after someone hits a deer, because that becomes another hazard for other motorists, so we always lik to remove those from the roadway,” Hux says. “So, call us, even if you don’t need a report, call us, we can send a trooper out to respond to that area to make sure that there’s not a hazard of that carcass still being out in the roadway.” 

In 2024, there were 2,952 crashes with deer, with four deaths and 420 injuries reported according to the Highway Patrol. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

MSHP says to look out for deer as fall season rolls around

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

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

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

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

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

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

Commodity markets daily recap

U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) joined the American Business Immigration Coalition and dairy industry leaders at the World Dairy Expo to address the urgent labor shortages facing America’s dairy farmers. They also championed practical immigration reforms tailored to the industry’s needs. Speakers highlighted the essential role of workers in keeping dairy operations safe, efficient, and productive. 

“If we deport every undocumented person working in the agriculture, hospitality, and construction industries, all of them will shutter at a moment’s notice,” Van Orden said. “If our farms close, we’ll be completely dependent on other countries to feed our people, and that is unacceptable.” He called that situation a national security issue. Brian Rexing of Dairy Farmers of America said taking hard-working employees off farms doesn’t make communities safer. “We need Congress and the administration to address our broken agricultural visa program,” he said. “We don’t want shortcuts. We want reform.”

Coalition Calls for Permits for Agricultural Workers

The U.S. is bracing for a record grain harvest totaling 21.5 billion bushels of corn, soybeans, and grain sorghum this fall. The bumper crop arrives during a period of heightened uncertainty surrounding the future of the U.S.-China trade relationship. It all means grain storage and transportation logistics will be much more complicated than usual. 

CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange said grain storage space will be extraordinarily tight this fall, with grain merchandisers charging higher fees due to limited capacity and strained infrastructure. While grain elevators stand to benefit from buying cheaper basis and capturing wider carries in the futures markets, the profit opportunities aren’t risk-free. “Among the top 12 corn-producing states, the U.S. is facing a 1.4-billion-bushel shortage of upright grain storage this year, with elevators relying on bunkers and ground piles.” This year’s shortage is in stark contrast to last year, when the top corn-producing states had 361 million bushels of excess storage.

Record Harvest, Uneven Exports to Tangle Logistics

For the fourth straight year, water levels in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers will soon be critically low, forcing shippers to light-load grain barges during harvest season. As barge rates get higher, those higher costs are making their way down to the farm level. Gary Williams, director of the Upper Mississippi River Water Association, told Agri-Pulse that between low commodity prices and high shipping costs, 

“Corn and soybean growers are looking to stash their commodities in every nook and cranny they can find.” A Forbes report said this could not come at a worse time for farmers. “This is a peak period when corn and soybeans from the Midwest get shipped downriver to New Orleans for export to the international marketplace.”

"If the lower levels get worse," Mike Steenhoek (STEEN-hook) of the Soy Transportation Coalition said, "that may mean lost profits for farmers because of an inefficient transportation system.”

Low Mississippi River Levels Again Set to Disrupt Harvest Shipping

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

Grain prices traded both sides of even on Monday as traders await more field-level reports as U.S. harvesting efforts continue to ramp up into mid-October. Soybean futures briefly overcame overnight lows to trade higher before eventually falling back toward the bottom end of the range by the close. Corn and wheat futures were also mixed, with the former finding some strength on a surprising release of weekly export inspections from USDA which reaffirmed the very strong pace of export demand for U.S. corn.&nbsp;

The livestock complex is off to a stronger start Monday morning as traders seem willing and motivated to push the contracts higher. It is helping matters that both pork cutout values and boxed beef prices are higher.

The live cattle futures are off to a stronger start for the week as the market takes the positive close of last Friday and continues to run with the support available in the marketplace. Last week Northern dressed trade began to develop on Tuesday and saw small increments of cattle trade throughout the remainder of the week.&nbsp;

The feeder cattle complex is again following the same direction as the live cattle contracts as its market is trading higher too. What could become problematic for the market moving forward is the nearby contracts are reaching resistance levels which could pressure traders to turn the contracts lower unless something substantial develops fundamentally. October is commonly referred to as "dead calf month" at sale barns as the severe temperature swings and the stressful conditions of weaning can be too much for calves. So mixed demand could remain the theme at sales barns for the next couple of week.

It seems as though the support established in the lean hog complex is holding true again this week as the contracts are continuing to trade higher.&nbsp; It is helpful again Monday morning that pork cutout values are higher with demand being robustly strong as the only cut trading lower is the picnic, which is down $1.06.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/29194004/30001.mp3">HERE </a>for Audio

A trade mission to Nigeria. A memorandum of understanding with Vietnam. A surge of purchases from Bangladesh. These countries are not typically major customers for soybeans from the U.S. farm belt. But, according to Reuters, desperate farmers, their trade organizations and President Donald Trump's administration are turning to far corners of the world in hopes of averting a disaster for agriculture from a trade war that has kept China from purchasing U.S. supplies. 

The efforts so far are failing to offset the loss of the country's biggest customer for the crop. The crisis is particularly acute in Illinois, the largest U.S. soybean producing and exporting state. After months of work that included planting seeds, fertilizing fields and spraying weedkillers, Illinois growers are facing losses of up to $8 per acre thanks to low crop prices and weak exports, according to University of Illinois estimates.

US Soybean Farmers, Deserted by Big Buyer China, Scramble for Other Importers

“The U.S. federal government shutdown that began Wednesday will halt some payments to farmers and delay access to federal farm loans, the latest blow for producers already facing low crop prices, record-high debts, and a trade war at the height of the fall harvest.” reports Reuters. On Wednesday, the scope of the shutdown’s potential impact to U.S. farmers was beginning to emerge. Even short interruptions in payments could deepen farmers’ economic turmoil. ‘It costs money to run those combines,’ said Chad Hart, agricultural economist with Iowa State University.” 

The shut down effects the processing of farm loans and making payments to farmers, including billions of dollars in disaster aid contained in President Donald Trump’s tax-cut and spending bill. The USDA has stopped issuing weather-related disaster payments, accepting and processing farm loans, providing technical assistance for conservation programs, and swaths of other agency work.&nbsp;

Gov’t Shutdown Halts Some Payments, Loans to Farmers

The FDA recently, conditionally approved Dectomax-CA1 (doramectin injection) injectable solution for the prevention and treatment of New World screwworm (NWS) larval infestations and prevention of NWS reinfestation for 21 days. 

“We understand the urgency with which America’s farmers and ranchers are asking for tools to fight New World screwworm,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “Today’s conditional approval – the first in the U.S. for NWS – shows our dedication to rapidly advancing important animal medicines when they are needed most. We continue to work tirelessly to complete review of other NWS products to protect multiple animal species in the U.S.” 

“Under this conditional approval, the FDA has determined the drug is safe and has a reasonable expectation of effectiveness. We are making this treatment available to cattle producers immediately while the sponsor collects the data needed for a full approval,” said Timothy Schell, Ph.D., acting director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

FDA Approves First Drug for Prevention and Treatment of New World Screwworm in Cattle

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/joshua-haiar/">Joshua Haiar</a> <a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/">South Dakota Searchlight</a>

SALEM — Spending 12 hours a day in his combine this week, harvesting amber rows of soybeans he planted in the spring, Andrew Streff has time to think — and it’s hard not to think about the ongoing trade dispute with China.

The country is boycotting purchases of U.S. soybeans in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

“China hasn’t purchased any soybeans from the United States this year, thanks to the president,” said Streff, who farms near Salem. “Our beans are the cheapest in the world, by about $2 a bushel, but this trade war is keeping them out of China — our biggest customer.”

Robert Lee is harvesting 300 acres of soybeans on his land near De Smet. He said many farmers are hesitant to blame Trump for bad bean prices.

“But the fact is, China imported 120 million metric tons of soybeans this year and not one bushel came from the U.S.,” Lee said. “That’s a direct result of this trade war.”

Farmers were similarly affected by trade disputes during Trump’s first term. Congress responded with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF11289/IF11289.3.pdf" target="_blank">$28 billion</a>&nbsp;of aid for farmers in 2018 and 2019, according to the Congressional Research Service. The relief paid for farmers’ lost income by providing direct payments in its place.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said during a Sept. 26 public event in Rapid City that the federal government will probably have to help farmers again.

“I have talked to the president about this, because some of this is a result of tariff policies, trade relationships, etc. — China’s not buying soybeans today,” Thune said. “And so I think, inevitably, what’s going to happen is they’ll probably end up doing what we did a few years ago, because of loss of markets.”

Thune said that’s something “none of us want.”

“But I think some of that tariff revenue that’s coming in probably will end up heading in that direction,” he said.

Trump’s tariffs will increase federal tax revenues by an estimated $171 billion this year, according to a Sept. 26 report from the&nbsp;<a href="https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tariffs-trade-war/" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>, a nonpartisan, tax policy research nonprofit.

On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the Trump administration is considering aid to farmers. He said in an<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/02/cnbc-transcript-us-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-speaks-with-cnbcs-squawk-box-today.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;interview</a>&nbsp;with CNBC that farmers “should expect some news on Tuesday” about “substantial support for our farmers, especially the soybean farmers.”

Jerry Schmitz is the executive director of the South Dakota Soybean Association. He said U.S. soybean prices are down more than a dollar per bushel from last year, from over $11 down to $10, with South Dakota prices another 80 cents to $1.35 lower. Local grain elevators are struggling because exports through the Pacific Northwest into Asian countries have slowed to a trickle.

Based on the number of soybean acres planted this year, Schmitz said a $1 drop in price equates to about $250 million of lost income for South Dakota farmers.

A tariff is a tax paid by importers, with the cost often passed along in prices charged to customers. Schmitz said the impact of tariffs on farmers goes beyond the obvious. An example is a rise in fertilizer prices, “partly due to inflation, but exacerbated by the tariffs.”

Streff, the Salem-area farmer, also works as a commodities broker in Mitchell. He said farmers like him who locked in a price with a grain buyer months before harvest are doing better, but “you were gambling on the future.”

“A lot of farmers were hoping the president learned from the last time around,” he said. “But it didn’t surprise me — he campaigned on doing these tariffs. The U.S. elected someone who likes to pick fights with other countries, and now we’re in the middle of it.”

He said others waited to see how the crop would turn out and if trade relations with China would improve. They haven’t.

Farm leaders and state officials are creating new domestic soybean uses, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/09/09/500-million-soybean-processing-plant-opens-in-mitchell/" target="_blank">$500 million soybean processing plant</a>&nbsp;in Mitchell that will mostly use soybeans to make renewable diesel and livestock feed.

Streff said that’s encouraging, but it won’t replace the demand of a country with 1.4 billion people who like soybean-fed pork.

“It’s not going to solve all our problems,” he said.

It’s a point Thune echoed while in Rapid City.

“We need to get the Chinese market back at some point because we sell a ton,” Thune said. “Sixty percent of our soybeans are exported, mostly to China. And so we’ve got to have those export markets.”

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/10/02/harvest-of-stress-soybean-farmers-await-help-as-tariff-dispute-closes-china-market/" target="_blank">South Dakota Searchlight</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Harvest of stress: Soybean farmers await help as tariff dispute closes China market

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

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

It was a slow day to close the week for futures markets as the U.S. government shutdown is in its third day, resulting in a lack of government reports to influence traders. The late week rally across row crop futures gradually exhausted itself through the session Friday, led by soybean futures, which eventually settled over a dime lower than the daily high on the November contract. Outside markets leaned positive to close the week with the Dow Jones Industrial Average accelerating weekly gains to a fresh record on Friday. Investors are currently showing no major concerns regarding the government shutdown, focusing instead on an expected rate cut in the Fed's meeting late this month. Energy markets ended the week higher, with crude oil futures narrowly avoiding five straight lower sessions amid support in the low $60 per barrel range.

The live cattle complex battled through, as the market continues to feel stalemated, not seeing the support it needs to drive the contracts much higher. Between weaker cash cattle prices and lower waning boxed beef prices, the market is stuck trading steady/somewhat lower as there's not enough support to do anything different for the time being, but the market found enough for all contracts to finish in the green. Before the week ends, there should still be some more cash cattle trade to develop; however, there's only been a thin movement in the North so far, and virtually no movement yet at all in the South. Asking prices are noted at $235 to $237 in the South and $362 plus in the North.

The feeder cattle complex was back to trading moderately higher as traders are currently willing to mildly support the contracts. The live cattle complex ended giving enough support and the market was able to maintain the mild rally through the day's end.

The lean hog complex is finally seeing support work its way into the market as pork cutout values were higher, and trades allowed the contracts to trade mildly higher as well. The biggest factor helping drive the carcass price higher this morning is the belly's $6.82 jump, and the picnics $4.24 gain as well.

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RENO COUNTY— Authorities have identified the two who died as a result of the head-on collision on Monday in Reno County. According to the Reno County Sheriff, 31-year-old Nicholas Brilhart of Sterling and 66-year-old Sharon Davis of Weston, West Virginia died in the crash that occurred just after 10.m. in the 8200 block of N K14 Hwy. Two of the other three individuals involved are still being treated at Wichita area hospitals. The third was treated and released.&nbsp;

According to the Reno County Sheriff a northbound silver Subaru SUV crossed the center line in the 8200 block of North K-14/96 and veered into the southbound lane. A southbound Ford F-150 attempted to avoid the crash by pulling onto the right shoulder, but the Subaru also moved onto the same shoulder, and the two vehicles collided head-on.

The Subaru carried four occupants. Two of them,&nbsp;31-year-old Nicholas Brilhart of Sterling and 66-year-old Sharon Davis of Weston, West Virginia were pronounced dead at the scene. An infant and another passenger were taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and later transferred to a Wichita hospital. The driver of the Ford pickup, the sole occupant, was transported by private vehicle to Lyons Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

First responders arriving on the scene found citizens already performing lifesaving efforts, which were continued by emergency crews.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff IDs man and woman who died in Kansas head-on crash

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– An explosive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-toll-analysis-of-us-senators">FBI document</a>&nbsp;obtained by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reveals the FBI targeted eight Republican senators’ personal cell phones for “tolling data” as part of its Arctic Frost investigation, according to a statement from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

One Republican member of the House of Representatives was also impacted. The Arctic Frost investigation formed the basis of Jack Smith’s elector case against President Donald Trump.

The FBI in 2023 sought and obtained data about the senators’ phone use from&nbsp;January 4 through January 7, 2021. That data shows when and to whom a call is made, as well as the duration and general location data of the call. The data does not include the content of the call.

This document was found in a Prohibited Access file in response to Grassley’s oversight requests. Grassley’s oversight&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-investigates-prohibited-access-files-at-fbi-demands-accountability-for-document-destruction-and-obstruction-in-mueller-investigation" target="_blank">exposed the existence</a>&nbsp;of Prohibited Access files, a file system the FBI uses to limit access to certain documents by making some files inaccessible to most FBI agents.

Read the FBI document&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-toll-analysis-of-us-senators">HERE</a>.

The FBI targeted the following Members of Congress:Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.)Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.)

Grassley issued the following statement regarding today’s disclosure:

“Based on the evidence to-date, Arctic Frost and related weaponization by federal law enforcement under Biden was arguably worse than Watergate.

“What I’ve uncovered today is disturbing and outrageous political conduct by the Biden FBI. The FBI’s actions were an unconstitutional breach, and Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel need to hold accountable those involved in this serious wrongdoing.

“I started the Arctic Frost investigation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/grassley-to-justice-dept-fbi_-political-bias" target="_blank">in July 2022</a>&nbsp;after hearing from whistleblowers. It’s taken years to get records and advance my investigation, but what the public is seeing now demonstrates the importance of congressional oversight and whistleblowers. My whistleblowers deserve great thanks for what they’ve helped expose. None of this would have been known without them.”

Background:The FBI’s Arctic Frost investigation was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/exhibit-8-arctic-frost" target="_blank">opened in April 2022</a>&nbsp;by former anti-Trump agent Timothy Thibault. In November 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-bank-record-subpoenas" target="_blank">it was assigned</a>&nbsp;to Special Counsel Jack Smith.&nbsp;

Whistleblower disclosures to Grassley earlier this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-johnson-release-records-showing-fbi-obtained-trump-pence-cell-phones-conducted-sweeping-interviews-to-advance-anti-trump-arctic-frost-investigation" target="_blank">revealed</a>&nbsp;the FBI acquired the government cell phones of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence during its Arctic Frost investigation. Officials in the Biden White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-johnson-release-additional-arctic-frost-records-detailing-sweeping-anti-trump-investigation" target="_blank">personally assisted</a>&nbsp;the FBI in securing Trump and Pence’s government phones. FBI agents used taxpayer dollars to travel the country and conduct dozens of interviews in support of the political probe.

Records Grassley made public last month&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grassley.senate.gov/download/arctic-frost-bank-record-subpoenas" target="_blank">showed</a>&nbsp;the FBI also placed 92 Republican-linked individuals and Republican groups – such as Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA – under Arctic Frost’s investigative scope.

Read the report: Biden's FBI spied on Republican U.S. Senators 

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement in Riley County are investigating a suspect on new allegations after an investigation and arrest in Shawnee County.

Just after 11a.m. Monday, police arrested Nichole Morehead, 22, of Ogden in the 1000 block of Seth Child Road on a Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation. 

This arrest stems from original charges of distribution of fentanyl, unlawful use of a telecommunication facility to distribute fentanyl, and theft. Morehead was issued no bond and remains confined in the Riley County Jail at the time of this report.&nbsp; She was arrested in Shawnee County on Friday, according to online jail records and later transferred to Riley County.

Police: Kansas woman accused of selling fentanyl

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A Kansas High School student is being hailed as a hero for taking action to save a woman's life.

Adrian Mendoza, a senior from Free State High School in Lawrence has attended the Lawrence Kansas&nbsp; Police Department's Teen Police Academy the last two summers, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police.

There, he learned life-saving techniques that he used when there were needed.  Adrian was serving food at a local independent living facility where he saw someone choking and another person struggling to help.  He says he doesn't even remember thinking about it.  His training took over and he performed the Heimlich maneuver the officers taught him. A chicken bone dislodged in her throat and the woman is fine today.

Kan. high school student takes action to save a woman's life

‘This is nothing more than an attempt to harass (Planned Parenthood) and should not be permitted by the court,’ attorneys for the clinics wrote in a court filing opposing the subpoena

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office is demanding health records of Planned Parenthood abortion patients in an effort to argue in favor of keeping in place several regulations that limit access to the procedure.

The office is asking for patient medical records, incident reports, “adverse event documentation” and communications about patient care,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Plaintiffs%20Corrected%20Motion%20to%20Quash%20State%20Defendants%20Subpoenas,%20Enforce%20Rule%2057.03,%20and%20Extend%20Protective%20Order%20and%20Suggestions%20in%20Support.PDF?courtCode=16&amp;di=28975693" target="_blank">according to court records</a>. Also requested through a subpoena were operational and clinical protocols, equipment patient records, contractual arrangements and documentation of compliance.&nbsp;

“Despite the Missouri attorney general’s blatant attempts to overturn the will of the people, all patients expect and have the right for their medical records to be private,” leadership with Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers and the ACLU of Missouri said in a joint statement. “Politicians have no place in the exam room with patients and their medical providers, and that’s why we will keep fighting for patients and their rights.”

The attorney general’s office, newly&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/09/catherine-hanaway-missouri-attorney-general-andrew-bailey/">under the leadership of Catherine Hanaway,</a>&nbsp;did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.&nbsp;

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office also subpoenaed two former Planned Parenthood Great Rivers board members, one physician contracted by Planned Parenthood Great Rivers and the chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, who was handed a subpoena during recess of a court hearing related to abortion access on Sept. 10.

“This is nothing more than an attempt to harass (Planned Parenthood) and should not be permitted by the court,” attorneys for the clinics wrote in a court filing asking Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang to throw out the subpoenas.&nbsp;

Last November, Missourians voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">codify the right to reproductive health care</a>, including abortion up to the point of fetal viability, in the state constitution. A day later, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/06/missouri-abortion-access-planned-parenthood-lawsuit-amendment-3/">sued the state in an effort to take down several abortion regulations&nbsp;</a>that remain part of state statute, arguing that those regulations are now unconstitutional because they burden abortion patients and providers.&nbsp;

That lawsuit is set to go to trial in January. Until then, Zhang temporarily enjoined —&nbsp;or struck down —&nbsp;some of the regulations,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/03/missouri-abortion-rights-amendment-trumps-most-restrictions-judge-rules/">allowing Planned Parenthood to begin offering procedural abortions again</a>.&nbsp;

Planned Parenthood is also awaiting a decision from Zhang after asking her to enjoin even more state regulations that the clinic argues are preventing clinics from prescribing mifepristone and misoprostol, which are used in medication abortions. As of Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/11/laws-regulations-medication-abortion-mifepristone-misoprostol-missouri/">Missourians could not access medication abortion&nbsp;</a>from an in-state provider because of these regulations.

Planned Parenthood is currently offering procedural abortions at its clinics in Kansas City,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/04/abortion-returns-columbia-missouri-planned-parenthood-clinic/">Columbia</a>&nbsp;and St. Louis.&nbsp;

Last month, the Missouri Court of Appeals gave the green light for the attorney general’s office to subpoena patient health information in a separate case involving the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/16/appeals-court-gives-missouri-ag-pathway-to-transgender-center-patient-records/">Washington University Transgender Center.</a>&nbsp;But it has to be done under more stringent parameters, the court ruled.&nbsp;

The attorney general’s office initially requested “all electronic health records of (the center’s) clients” and a list of all the center’s patients. The higher court is now requiring that only the minimum required health information be turned over.

The appeals court reversed a<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/08/judge-rules-missouri-ag-has-no-right-to-medical-records-of-transgender-minors-at-wash-u/">&nbsp;ruling last year&nbsp;</a>in which a district judge said the center did not have to turn over patient information protected by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA.

In that case,&nbsp; the attorney general’s office argued that it qualifies as a<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Appellants%20Brief.PDF?courtCode=EA&amp;di=513469" target="_blank">&nbsp;“health oversight agency,”&nbsp;</a>and as such should be privy to patient information protected by HIPPA.&nbsp;

Missouri attorney general subpoenas Planned Parenthood for patient abortion records

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces multiple charges for a shooting at a home in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2734/Roscoe-COMPLAINTREDACTED">Nathan Roscoe</a>, 42,&nbsp;faces 1st Degree Assault, Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm charges.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2735/Roscoe-PCREDACTED-1">Click here to read the probable cause statement</a>

On September 27, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence regarding shots fired and located the victim who was alert and conscious. The victim had an obvious wound on his head and was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the head, a<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2735/Roscoe-PCREDACTED-1">ccording to court records</a>.

Based on witness reports, Roscoe was identified as the shooter and was still in the residence before complying with the deputies’ orders and being taken into custody.&nbsp;

Roscoe remains jailed on a $50,000 bond.&nbsp;

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