Losing someone is difficult, and an annual program at Brookdale Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph helps those suffering through their grief.  

The GriefShare program brings together those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, to learn about and find their lives on the other side of that loss.  

Organizer Debbie Lyons says the group brings like-minded people together, no matter if it's the loss of a spouse, sibling, parent, or a child. 

"You’re feelings are different with each one, so when you meet people, like I lost my spouse and my sister, and when I meet people that have that same thinking in their head and they have suffered that same great loss we can connect, and it helps to hear from other people who have suffered the same loss,” Lyons says on the KFEQmunnity show. 

Lyons says this Sunday, the church will host an introduction to the GriefShare program with the Loss of Spouse seminar. 

"That’s just what it is and we help people who have lost their spouse, whether it was yesterday, last week, or 16 years ago, to understand what’s going on,” Lyons explains.  “There are things to do in the book, gentle reminders, messages from God, it’s a great resource for them to get, and again we’ll be at Brookdale Presbyterian Church.” 

The seminar will begin at 2pm on Sunday.  

Lyons says through the 13 weeks the courses will cover several topics of a person's grief journey 

"Why am I angry, is it normal to be angry?  What to do with secondary things, like we are no longer a we, we are a me, how do we get through that with the secondary jobs with trying to do everything at once,” Lyons says.  “There’s some on getting stuck in grief, there is one on am I normal? Well to me that is not a good word for grieving.” 

GriefShare will be held on Thursdays with sessions at 10am and 6pm at Brookdale, beginning on August 28th. 

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

Seminar helps those suffering from loss of a loved one

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on new allegations after an arrest.

Shortly before 5p.m. on Thursday an officer on patrol observed 44-year-old Richard Burge II walking in the 900 Block of Main Street, according to. Police Chief Mike Wilson 

Burge was taken into custody on requested charges that include four outstanding District Court warrants for failure to appear in court. 

When taken into custody he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

Kan. man who keeps skipping court is caught with meth

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

St. Joseph city officials have no comment on a lawsuit filed
against the city by 
Sandra Hemme, recently released from prison after being incarcerated for 43
years for a murder the courts found she didn’t commit.

Hemme’s attorney, Justin Hill with the Chicago law firm Loevy and
Loevy, says the lawsuit names the city and several individuals employed by the
St. Joseph Police Department at the time of the 1980 case.

“This lawsuit seeks compensation for police taking advantage
of Sandy Hemme who was an extremely vulnerable 20-year-old woman who had
significant psychiatric impairments in 1980 and framing her for a murder that
she did not commit,” Hill tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Hill claims St. Joseph police coerced a confession from Hemme
to protect one of their own. The lawsuit states all the evidence in the murder
of St. Joseph librarian Patricia Jeschke in November of 1980 pointed to Officer
Michael Holman.

Livington County Circuit Judge, Ryan Horsman, found Hemme
innocent and ordered her release from the Chillicothe women’s prison. In his
ruling, Horsman called Hemme “the victim of a manifest injustice.”

The
lawsuit is very critical of the St. Joseph Police Department at the time of the
Jeschke case. It claims former Police Chief, Bob Hayes, fostered a culture
of impunity with the police department. Hayes is dead as are nearly all the
individuals named in the lawsuit.

Hill claims the department went to
extraordinary lengths to avoid embarrassment.

“And so, they wanted to avoid that news story and chose
to pen it on Sandy Hemme,” according to Hill.

“There’s also another young man named Melvin Lee Reynolds who
is similarly in a tough place in life and they framed him for the murder of a
young man named Eric Christgen around the same time.”

Reynolds was released from prison after the courts found he
had been falsely convicted in the murder of Christgen, four years old at the
time of his death. Charles Hatcher would later be convicted in the death of
Christgen and 11-year-old Michelle Steele.

The lawsuit asks for a jury trial. It doesn’t request specific
compensation.

Hill says it is difficult to place a price tag on losing 43
years of your life.

“Sandy lost almost all of her adult life and putting a number
on that is going to be a significant challenge for the jury,” Hill says. “But
we’re going to put it to them.”

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph city officials have no comment on Hemme lawsuit

State tax dollars have already started flowing out of the State Treasurer’s Office to fund private-school scholarships. A lawsuit seeks to block what attorneys argue is an unauthorized use of taxpayer dollars

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

Attorneys for Missouri’s largest teacher’s union are hoping to stop tax dollars from pouring into the state’s voucher program, arguing in Cole County Circuit Court Thursday that payments should be paused until a judge rules on the legality of the program’s funding.

The State Treasurer’s Office has already begun dipping into a $51 million appropriation of general revenue to award private-school scholarships under the MOScholars program, state attorneys said Thursday. Over 6,100 students have been promised scholarships, and any delay would be a “massive disruption to the MOScholars program,” William Seidleck, principal deputy solicitor general, told the judge.

But Loretta Haggard, attorney for the Missouri branch of the Missouri National Education Association, argued Thursday that MOScholars lacks authority to pull directly from general revenue, and taxpayers would be harmed by the illegal use of funds.&nbsp;

MNEA&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/01/missouri-educators-sue-state-over-51-million-appropriation-to-private-school-vouchers/">filed requests</a>&nbsp;at the end of June for a temporary restraining order to block the flow of funds until trial and a permanent injunction. But the attorney general’s office asked the judge to reject MNEA’s request for an expedited timeline,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/article_5f4f5093-90a6-4cfd-ad0c-d63e8bfd38de.html" target="_blank">citing the recent departure of two top attorneys.&nbsp;</a>

The delay pushed the hearing on the injunction past the start of the school year.&nbsp;

“You can’t just turn on a hose of $51 million in general revenue and force it through the tax credit framework,” Haggard said. “There are gaps in that framework.”

MOScholars was created in a 2021 law which set up the program to work through educational nonprofits approved by the state treasurer. Funding is initiated by donations, which taxpayers are able to receive back as a tax credit equal to 100% of their contribution.

The law set up a fund, the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts fund, “to be used by the state treasurer for marketing and administrative expenses or the costs incurred in administering the scholarship program, whichever is less.”

But last month, that account received a $48 million infusion, which the treasurer’s office is using to pay for student scholarships.

Haggard argues that using the fund this way is “inconsistent” with the 2021 law, telling the judge to block the outflow of funds before it is too late.

“The money will be gone (if the court doesn’t pause payments),” she said. “Nobody seriously thinks that this court will be able to order the families or the schools to discard the money. That will be gone.”

Seidleck argued that although state law doesn’t explicitly allow for the direct spending of general revenue, there are no provisions that directly forbid it. “Statutory silence,” he said, is not enough.

When deciding whether to issue a temporary restraining order, Circuit Court Judge Brian Stumpe must consider the potential harm to affected parties against the public interest. This piece was a large part of the state’s and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/04/parents-intervene-in-missouri-voucher-lawsuit-with-help-from-herzog-foundation-leader/">intervenor EdChoice</a>’s arguments.

EdChoice Legal Advocates joined the case earlier this month, representing three parents who say the influx of state funding will expand their access to scholarships.

Prior to the $51 million appropriation, MOScholars had a growing waitlist, said EdChoice attorney Bryan Cleveland. With the added funding, the program is now more reliable for those who were previously awarded scholarships, and parents are hopeful to get their other children access as well.

“The plaintiffs have asserted taxpayer standing but they haven’t stated any personal harm,” he said. “In contrast, the families have demonstrated irreparable harm because they need the scholarships to pay not just for tuition but also to pay for reading tutors.”

Seidleck emphasized that the program prioritizes students with an individualized education plan, which serves students with learning and physical disabilities.

MNEA, which is a union of public-school teachers, won’t be harmed by the vouchers, he argued, saying it might help public schools by “facilitating smaller class sizes.” MNEA President Rebeka McIntosh, who was watching the arguments, chuckled at his argument.

Stumpe had few questions Thursday, apart from asking Cleveland how the intervening families would be harmed. He told attorneys he plans on ruling by the end of the day Friday.

Missouri teachers union asks judge to freeze private-school-voucher payments

CALDWELL COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Thursday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Freightliner semi driven by a 65-year-old Hamilton man was northbound on MO 13 at East Putnum just north of Hamilton. The semi traveled off the right side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle traveled off the south side of the road and came to rest on its wheels.

Caldwell County EMS transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man injured after semi accident

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a drug bust at a Kansas home.

Based on an intensive investigation by the Brown&nbsp; County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force,&nbsp; a search warrant was applied for and granted for a residence at 645 West 13th Street in Horton, Kansas, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Just after 7:30 p.m. August 19, deputies initiated the search warrant at that residence.&nbsp; Approximately 7 grams of Methamphetamine, Over 2 pounds of Marijuana, various meth pipes, bongs, marijuana pipes, scales, grinders, baggies&nbsp; and numerous&nbsp; firearms were located as well as a .22 pistol which was&nbsp; confirmed stolen out of Michigan and&nbsp; seized as evidence.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Up onconclusion of the warrant, Gayleen Koon&nbsp;&nbsp; 43 Horton was arrested on requested charges of&nbsp; Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of DrugParaphernalia, Distribution of Meth 3.5&lt;100 Grams, Distribution ofMarijuana 450 Grams&gt;30 KG and No Drug Tax Stamp.&nbsp; Horton police assisted with the investigation.

Deputies seize meth, marijuana and stolen gun at Kansas home

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by a 22-year-old St. Joseph man was northbound on U.S. 71 two miles west of Savannah. The car struck a deer, traveled off the road, down an embankment and overturned..&nbsp;

Andrew County EMS transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patol no longer releases names of accident victims.

St. Joe man injured after car strikes a deer, overturns

Soil samples have been taken. Tests will
be done. Then, it will be up to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers whether
dredging can begin as Buchanan County attempts to restore Lake Contrary.

Western District Buchanan County
Commissioner, Ron Hook, says the final soil test plots were taken on Monday and
sent to the lab. That comes after herbicide was spread to kill the weeds which
have overtaken Lake Contrary.

“It’s worked in spots. We’ve had probably
70% of it take hold of the spray,” Hook says during an appearance on
KFEQmmunity. “Our contracted person is going to come back and view it again
before fall. If it needs to be re-sprayed in some areas, he’s going to do
that.”

Hook says the weeds must be removed
before dredging can begin.

Dredging will not be allowed unless the
Army Corps of Engineers grants Buchanan County a permit.

Hook says work to restore Lake Contrary
has been a long time coming.

“We’ve been working on this off-and-on
throughout my whole tenure of county commissioner,” Hooks says. “So that’s been
16 years. This is the closest we’ve been at this point.”

At present, the lake south of St. Joseph
resembles more of a field than a lake. There is little water in Lake Contrary.
There are plenty of weeds. Those weeds don’t just suffocate the lake, they
would wreak havoc on any attempts to dredge, stubbornly clinging to the earth
and clogging any efforts to uproot them.

Hook says the process of restoring Lake
Contrary has dragged on for years.

“We’re moving in the right direction,”
Hook says. “And I think with these soil samples, it’s going to show and prove
to the Corps of Engineers that what we’re going to do is going to be a positive
for the community.”

Hook says the final 34 soil samples were
taken on Monday. The Corps of Engineers will examine the results to determine
whether to permit Buchanan County to dredge the lake and deposit soil back into
the Missouri River.

Work continues on efforts to revive Lake Contrary

The Jefferson County Humane Society in Valley Falls, Kansas is promoting adoption of pets in a fun and unique way.   

A kid's fair will be hosted in the parking lot of the shelter this Saturday, with many fun activities and games.  

Jenni Cubbison with the Humane Society says this event centers around the Clear the Shelter event which is held every year 

"With our fair we hope to have fair games, concessions, prizes for the kids, hair coloring, and we're also going to have a cake walk," Cubbison says on the KFEQmunnity show.  "So that should be fun for everyone." 

Cubbison says while this event is about fun, it also stresses the importance of adoption, with this being a time of year where many unwanted cats and dogs show up at the shelter. 

"We strive to give every animal a second chance at a loving home, but unfortunately it is a situation with all shelters I think within our area, and around America unfortunately, that there's such an overpopulation of animals that are in need," Cubbison says. 

The event is a free will donation, with everything donated going to the animal shelter.  Cubbison says on the day you can also view pets that are available for adoption.  

The fair will run from 1 to 5pm on Saturday at 15295 K4 Hwy Valley Falls, Kansas. 

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

Kid's Fair promotes importance of pet adoption

December corn closed down 1/4 cent per bushel at $4.11 1/2 and March corn was down 1 cent at $4.28 3/4. November soybeans closed up 2 1/2 cents at $10.58 1/2 and January soybeans were up 3 1/4 cents at $10.77. December KC wheat closed down 5 cents at $5.21, December Chicago wheat was down 2 1/2 cents at $5.27 1/4 and December Minneapolis wheat was unchanged cents at $5.90.

December corn finished 6 1/4 cents higher at $4.11 1/2. March corn also finished 6 1/4 cents higher at $4.28 3/4. November beans rose 16 cents for the week at $10.58 1/2 and January beans finished up 15 1/2 cents at $10.77. Kansas City September closed down 9 at $4.98, Chicago September finished down 1 3/4, and Minneapolis December finished up .0075 at $5.90.

Soybeans got a boost and rose for the second straight day. Although pod counts are being reported as record large in several key states, it is the drier outlook ahead that has traders buying. Also supportive for soybeans was the bean oil strength and the EPA decision to grant full waivers for only 63 of the petitions with partial waivers and some not approved at all. Wheat and corn flirted with both sides in slow trade Friday.

The live cattle complex continued to trade higher and higher as support remains plentiful for the market. Boxed beef demand has been stellar this week, and although we'd just seen a small trading thus far in the fed cash cattle complex, prices have been higher in the North. It's normal for traders to pull the contracts back somewhat ahead of the release of the monthly Cattle on Feed report, but at this point, it's looking like there's enough support in the marketplace to ease traders' nervousness about the report to continue to push the contracts higher.

A new day, and another new contract high summarizes the feeder cattle complex at this point. It will be interesting to note what happens on the monthly Cattle on Feed report as placements are expected to be lighter than a year ago, but how much lighter once again remains the question to be answered. It's been an incredible week for the feeder cattle complex as the market has been able to close higher every single day.

The lean hog complex made a late-week rally as the nearby contracts were successful trading upward of $1.00 higher into Friday's noon hour. Some of the market's support is stemming from the strong fundamental showing late in the week, but more than that, it seems that traders have regained their confidence, as fundamental support throughout the week has been spotty.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/22143712/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the USDA will no longer fund taxpayer dollars for solar panels on productive farmland or allow solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries to be used in USDA projects. Subsidized solar farms have made it more difficult for farmers to access farmland by making it more expensive and less available. Within the last 30 years, Tennessee alone has lost over 1.2 million acres of farmland and is expected to lose two million acres by 2027. 

This problem isn’t just in Tennessee, because, since 2012, solar panels on farmland nationwide have increased by almost 50 percent. That’s why the Department took action. “Our prime farmland should not be wasted and replaced with Green New Deal-subsidized solar panels,” Rollins said. “One of the biggest barriers to entry for new and young farmers is access to land, and subsidized solar farms are making land much more expensive and less available.” 

Rollins blocks taxpayer dollars for solar panels on prime farmland

The U.S. and the European Union announced that they’ve agreed on a Framework of an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. Among the key terms, the EU intends to eliminate tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods and provide preferential market access for a wide range of U.S. seafood and agricultural goods, including dairy products, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, soybean oil, pork, and other products. 

The U.S. commits to applying the higher of either the U.S. Most Favored Nation Tariff Rate or a tariff rate of 15 percent, comprised of the MFN tariff and a reciprocal tariff, on originating goods from the European Union. Among some of the other commitments, the U.S. and EU share one of the world’s largest economic relationships. European companies commit to invest an additional $600 billion across strategic U.S. sectors through 2028. They’ll also work to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers. 

U.S. and E.U. issue a joint statement on trade framework

December corn closed up 7 3/4 cents per bushel at $4.11 3/4 and March corn was up 7 3/4 cents at $4.26 3/4. November soybeans closed up 20 cents at $10.56 0/1 and January soybeans were up 18 1/2 cents at $10.73 3/4. December KC wheat closed up 2 3/4 cents at $5.26, December Chicago wheat was up 1 1/2 cents at $5.29 3/4 and December Minneapolis wheat was up 0.02 cents at $5.9100.

Both the corn and soy markets surged Thursday as the next 10 days holds a dry outlook for the Eastern Corn Belt and crop tour participants are finding diseases more prevalent than thought. Soybean oil rallied ahead of what is expected to be a decision on small refinery exemptions soon. Wheat markets were along for the ride in two-sided trade but in the end finished mixed to slightly higher.

Following Wednesday's massive surge in the futures complex, the live cattle complex&nbsp;traded mostly steady, seeming unsure of what it should do next. It remains incredibly supportive that boxed beef prices are continuing to trend higher, but the market has yet to really see what this week's trend is going to be in the fed cash cattle complex. There's been a light movement in the North at $245, which is steady to a tick higher than last week's weighted average, but the market hasn't seen enough trade, or any trade in the South, to say that it confidently knows what this week's trend is going to be. Regardless, it's anticipated that prices will trade at least steady if not a bit higher again this week simply because feedlot managers possess enough leverage in the marketplace to be able to roll their showlists over if prices aren't what they want. From a technical standpoint, it's impressive to see that futures contracts are trading mostly steady as traders want to support the complex more but also don't want to overdo anything.

The feeder cattle complex&nbsp;continued to trade mostly higher into Thursday's close after a rough start to the session, as traders are seeing plenty of support. Support from feeder cattle sales in the countryside, support from strong boxed beef demand, support from the light movement that the fed cash cattle complex has seen already this week, and, as of this point this week, total support from traders.

Although pork cutout values were down slightly, and the week's export report wasn't overly supportive, the lean hog complex traded mostly higher into Thursday's closing bell as traders have seemed to find some footing in the futures complex. The bulk of this week's cash hog trade is likely done, so any fundamental support is going to need to come from cutout values, and this morning the carcass price was down slightly.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/08/21152506/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Local opposition to utility-scale solar installations in rural areas is growing following the rapid pace of new solar developments in recent years. Land use concerns in areas largely dominated by agricultural production are fueling much of the community-level resistance. A new CoBank report says solar expansion could deliver the fastest, most affordable means for increasing the nation’s razor-thin energy reserves while driving new revenue streams for rural communities. 

CoBank says concerns around the pace of solar development in rural areas and the implications for land use in agricultural regions are warranted. A recent independent study found that about 15 percent of U.S. counties have some form of restriction on building new utility-scale solar energy projects. American Farmland Trust says more than 80 percent of new solar development will take place on agricultural lands over the next 20 years, with almost half that development on what’s considered “prime” land. 

Can large-scale solar coexist with agriculture in rural America?

The 2022 Census of Agriculture Typology Report shows that family farms make up 95 percent of all U.S. farms. The report, released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, focuses on the “family farm,” which is defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the producer and individuals related to the producer. 

“Classifying America’s 1.9 million farms to better reflect their variety is critical to evaluating and reporting on U.S. agriculture,” said NASS Administrator Joseph Parson. “Typology allows us to more meaningfully explore the demographics of who is farming and ranching today as well as their impact on the economy and communities across the country.” The data shows that small family farms with income under $350,000 per year make up 85 percent of all U.S. farms. They also have 39 percent of the total land in farms, and 14 percent of the value of all agricultural products sold. 

Family farms make up 95 percent of all U.S. Farms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Farm credit supporting young farmers

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

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

USDA issues August livestock report

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

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

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

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

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

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

SHAWNEE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Topeka man for child sex crimes suspected to have occurred in Kentucky.

Just before 7a.m. on Friday, KBI agents executed a search warrant at a residence at 1932 SW Lane St. in Topeka. During the operation, KBI agents also served an arrest warrant for the resident, Justin R. Bevitt, 41, that was secured following an investigation by the Kentucky State Police, according to a media release from the KBI.

Bevitt was arrested on Kentucky charges of procuring or promoting the use of a minor, unlawful transaction with a minor in the first degree, unlawful transaction with a minor in the second degree, and distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. The charges allege Bevitt traveled to Kentucky in late July of 2025, and had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old female.

Bevitt was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Additional charges against Bevitt are pending in Kansas. Extradition is expected.

KBI: 41-year-old Kan. man met a 15-year-old for sex in Kentucky

In the interest of transparency, the United State's Department of Justice on Friday released the complete transcript and audio of&nbsp; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's interview of&nbsp; Ghislaine  Maxwell.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/maxwell-interview">Click here</a>&nbsp;to listen to and or read the transcripts

🎙Read, listen to the DOJ interview with Epstein's girlfriend

By:&nbsp;NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

The preliminary hearing scheduled on Friday for 32-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3e716804-4732-43e4-a3cf-086e2bdc9859">Kayla Errebo</a>&nbsp;who is charged with 2nd-degree murder in connection with a fatal crash in Saline. County was delayed.

According to Noah Morgan from the Saline County Attorney's office, the preliminary hearing was rescheduled as Errebo's attorney, who needed more time to prepare evidence.

The rescheduled preliminary hearing date is set for&nbsp;Tuesday, October 21st&nbsp;at&nbsp;9:00 am&nbsp;inside the&nbsp;City of Salina-Saline County building (300 W Ash St), Room 301.

According to Saline County Sheriff's Captain Jim Hughes, just before 5:30a.m. August 8, a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Errebo of Lorraine was westbound on Kansas 140 at South Reese Road in rural Saline County. The Jeep entered the eastbound lanes and struck a&nbsp;Chevrolet truck driven by&nbsp;61-year-old Mark Sommerfeld of Brookville head-on.

A passenger in the Chevy identified as 55-year-old Deanna Sommerfeld from Brookville was pronounced deceased on scene.

EMS transported&nbsp; Mark Sommerfield to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment.

Errebo was not at the scene of the crash. Deputies located her just before 8:30a.m. at an address in Ellsworth.&nbsp; She had minor&nbsp;injuries that did not require medical treatment. Errebo was taken into custody and booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Murder in&nbsp; the second degree, Failure to report an injury accident, Circumvention of ignition interlock device and Probation violation. She remains jailed on a $1 million bond.

The preliminary hearing is open to the public.

Hearing delayed for driver accused in fatal Kansas crash

The Kansas State Wildcats open the college football season Saturday against Iowa State at Aviva Stadium as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly challenged Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds&nbsp; on Farmageddon or more like "Farm O'Gedden in Dublin, Ireland.

Governor Laura Kelly wrote, "Hey Governor Reynolds, K-State is ready to take on the Cyclones&nbsp;in Ireland, and I’m confident that my 'Cats will emerge victorious. I’ll bet you Creekstone Premium Black Angus steaks that K-State comes out on top in Farmageddon. I don’t lose, so don’t get too excited. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/EMAW?src=hashtag_click">#EMAW</a>

Kansas and Iowa Governors make 'Farm O'Gedden' football wager

DOUGLAS COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a pedestrian accident that occurred just 5:30a.m. Friday in Douglas County.

A 27-year-old Lawrence man who was running eastbound on N 1400 Road&nbsp; suffered serious injuries when a westbound 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier struck him, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman George&nbsp;Diepenbrock.

The accident occurred in the 1900 block of N 1400 Road, between Lawrence and Eudora.

Medics transported the injured runner via ground ambulance to a Kansas City-area hospital. 

The driver of the Cavalier, a 70-year-old Eudora man, suffered injuries believed to be minor, and medics transported him to LMH Health, where he was later released.

Deputies closed the road in the area for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office&nbsp; Crash Reconstruction Team to examine the scene. They reopened the road at 9:25 a.m.

Runner seriously injured after struck by car on rural Kan. road 

Gov. Mike Kehoe hasn’t called a special session but a statement after the president’s social media post indicates he is moving closer to convening lawmakers

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri “is IN” for redrawing the state’s congressional districts in a special legislative session, President Donald Trump proclaimed Thursday on his&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115066304815869662" target="_blank">social media platform</a>.

With&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/" target="_blank">Texas moving quickly</a>&nbsp;toward a mid-decade revision of its congressional map to tilt five districts toward the Republican Party, Missouri would now be expected to follow suit to help the GOP gain one more.

Missouri has eight congressional districts, and Democrats hold two. Any proposal is likely to split the 5th District, which is mainly in Kansas City, by adding Republican voters in sufficient numbers to take it away from incumbent Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.

That would give Republicans seven of the state’s seats in the U.S. House.

For&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/weve-already-done-that-missouri-lawmakers-show-little-enthusiasm-for-new-congressional-maps/">nearly a month</a>, Trump has been pressuring Gov. Mike Kehoe and legislative leaders, with calls to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/">at least one Republican lawmaker</a>&nbsp;who expressed reluctance to go along.

“The Great State of Missouri is now IN,” Trump wrote. “I’m not surprised. It is a great State with fabulous people. I won it, all 3 times, in a landslide. We’re going to win the Midterms in Missouri again, bigger and better than ever before!”

And Kehoe, in a statement responding to Trump, inched closer to saying he intended to call a special session. At a news conference in his office Tuesday, Kehoe said no decision had been made.

“Governor Kehoe continues to have conversations with House and Senate leadership to assess options for a special session that would allow the General Assembly to provide congressional districts that best represent Missourians,” a statement sent by spokeswoman Gabby Picard read. “Governor Kehoe appreciates President Trump’s attention to this issue on behalf of Missourians.”

No proposed map that would favor Republicans has been revealed, and a top Republican on Wednesday told The Independent she has been unable to get a look at one circulating privately.

“I’ve tried to get a hold of the map that I’ve heard about,” said Jennifer Bukowsky of Columbia, vice chair of the Republican State Committee. “I guess I’m not important enough to be consulted.”

The push for redistricting in Republican-led states is an effort to shore up the thin Republican majority in Congress. With a 219-212 majority — four seats are vacant, including three previously held by Democrats — Republicans are worried that a small shift in voter sentiment could put them again in the minority.

Redistricting is usually done in the first legislative session after census data is released, and the districts remain in place for 10 years.

Missouri’s current congressional map was approved by lawmakers in 2022 after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/14/battle-lines-remain-fixed-in-missouri-senate-republican-factional-fights-as-session-ends/">bitter GOP factional dispute</a>&nbsp;that centered on efforts to draw seven Republican-controlled districts. And with Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/07/black-missouri-lawmakers-vow-to-block-missouri-gop-push-for-new-congressional-districts/">promising to filibuster</a>&nbsp;any redistricting bill in the Senate, getting a new map approved will also be difficult.

A special session will show that Republicans in Missouri take “marching orders from the federal government,” State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/s_webber/status/1958541213566468277?t=OiFM7XIgc5f6_ez0wsDkXA&amp;s=03" target="_blank">social media post</a>. “Pathetic to watch grown adult ‘leaders’ flop around like caught fish when a New Yorker that thinks the Chiefs play in Kansas tweets at them how to run Missouri.”

When he spoke to reporters on Tuesday, Kehoe said the biggest consideration for him is maintaining the Republican majority in Congress.

“Our goal, if we move forward — and there’s no decision to move forward — is to make sure Missouri’s values are reflected in Washington, D.C.,” Kehoe said. “And I’ve said many times that I think our current speaker does a very good job of matching the values of Missourians.”

Republican members of the Missouri House have been told there will be two caucus meetings scheduled to coincide with the annual veto session, which starts Sept. 10, state Rep. Barry Hovis, a Republican from Cape Girardeau said Wednesday in an interview with The Independent.

One meeting, he said, is presumably to discuss whether there are any vetoes the House wants to override. In the other, Hovis expects an in-depth discussion of redistricting.

For Hovis, one consideration on whether to redraw Missouri’s map will be if Democratic states&nbsp; California, Illinois or New York revise their maps in response to the action in Texas. Gerrymandered districts that give one party far more representation than their share of the overall vote can be seen in every state dominated by a single party, he said. Illinois has a district that looks like a snake, he said, while Massachusetts — where Republicans get about the same share of the vote as Democrats in Missouri — has no GOP congressional seats.

Democrats will complain they are being denied representation, Hovis said.

“If they’re going to bring (Texas) up, I’m going to say, ‘Well, we’re just doing what you guys taught us to do,’” Hovis said.

Until Kehoe makes the call, Hovis said, the whole discussion is speculation.

“For me to tell you that I know exactly what we’re going to do here, I truly don’t,” he said.

The biggest challenge for Republicans, Hovis said, will be to draw a map that doesn’t put districts the party currently holds at risk with large numbers of new Democratic votes.&nbsp;

“If we go to the Kansas City model, the one that I saw when we did this several years ago, we’re going to have some districts that could be more purple than red, and we could end up being 5-3, real easy, or worst case scenario, 4-4.”

The people most interested in redistricting, Bukowsky said, are incumbents. They want a map that retains the voters who have come to know their name, while potential opponents want a map that includes voters who share their ideology.

“Whenever they’re doing redistricting,” Bukowsky said, “it’s like the two parties are incumbents and challengers.”

President Trump says Missouri will revise congressional districts to favor Republicans

The Kansas State Wildcats open the college football season Saturday against Iowa State at Aviva Stadium as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall challenged Iowa U.S. Senator Joni Ernst on Farmageddon or more like "Farm O'Gedden in Dublin, Ireland.

🎥Kansas and Iowa U.S. Senators make 'Farm O'Gedden' football wager

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City area elementary school teacher has been charged in federal court for child pornography offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/media/1411761/dl?inline">Click here to read </a>the charging documents

Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was charged in a three-count federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. today.&nbsp; Hernandez is charged with transportation of child pornography, production and attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Hernandez was arrested at his home during the execution of a federal search warrant.&nbsp; He remains in custody and is scheduled for his initial appearance today before a federal magistrate.

The complaint affidavit alleges that on Aug. 19, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigations received 19 CyberTipline Reports (“Cybertips”) from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”).&nbsp; NCMEC made the referral after it received disclosures from Google on August 18th&nbsp;indicating that multiple files of apparent child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to google photos by a particular account that had identifying information consistent with/to Hernandez.&nbsp;The affidavit further alleges that based upon the Cybertips, agents with the FBI sought and obtained a federal search warrant which was executed on the morning of August 20th.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Under federal statutes, transportation of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, production and attempted production of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment, and possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.&nbsp; The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.