The St. Joseph Sports Commission is celebrating another successful marathon.

Director Brett Esely says he determines the success of an event on how participants felt and says he received several positive comments from attendees on Saturday.  

Esely says it was another record year for attendance in the marathon 

"We ended up with 635 folks that registered for the event, and that included roughly 100 marathoners, 210 half marathoners, we had a record number of 10kers this year with over 150, roughly 150 5kers, and then a handful of virtual participants as well,” Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “So that’s up slightly from last year, each year that registration number continues to climb.” 

Esely says the hope though is the event will continue to grow, with hopes of one day having over 1,000 runners participating in the race 

"But for us to get there we’ve got to find a way to get at least 350 more folks registered for a race, is it possible, yes, is there a magic potion for that, no, I think there’s a number of different ways we can do that,” Esely explains.  “I think a great goal for us moving forward is to find another race that wants to partner with us in marketing, you see that a lot in series racing, whether that be in locales that are close together or locales that have similar themes for their race.” 

Esely says finding a race to partner up with, providing incentives to participate in both races, could draw more runners looking for things like that to St. Joseph for the marathon.  

Runners from 20 states and two countries participated in the St. Joseph Marathon on Saturday, some qualifying for a spot in the Boston Marathon. 

Esely says there are several factors to consider qualifying for the Boston Marathon, such as age and gender.  

"Our winner of the marathon on the men’s side, and our overall winner, William Henry actually was the winner in our inaugural year, so pretty cool that he came back and ran the race two years later,” Esely says.  “He ran in two hours and forty-five minutes, which that is definitely a Boston qualifying time for somebody his age, so definitely one for sure.” 

Esely reports overall from the marathon there were seven total qualifiers for the Boston Marathon, with four women qualifying and three men. 

The Boston Marathon will be held in April next year.

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

St. Joseph Marathon succesful again, but still room for growth

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

Missouri Western
State University’s first president, Marvin O. Looney, has died.

Missouri Western
reports Looney died September 29th in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He
was 97.

“There are few
figures, if any, more vital than Dr. Looney to the development of Missouri
Western State University,” Missouri Western President, Elizabeth Kennedy, the
University’s fifth president said in a written statement released by the
university. “When he arrived in St. Joseph, a four-year regional university was
little more than a dream. He gave that dream shape and substance, inspiring
faculty, staff, students and the community to build MoWest into the vibrant
university it remains today.”

Looney grew up in
southwest Missouri and graduated from what then was Southwest Missouri State
University in Springfield. He served in the Navy during World War II and began
teaching and coaching at his alma mater, Gainesville High School.

Looney earned his
Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in 1961 and after stops at the University
of Central Missouri, Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan, and
Mahoning Community College. Looney became president of Missouri Western Junior
College in 1967, two years before the college became a four-year institution
and moved to its current campus.

Looney establish
Missouri Western as a four-year institution and saw it through accreditation.
He oversaw construction of buildings on the St. Joseph campus. The M.O. Looney
Fieldhouse bears his name.

He and his
family–wife Dorsey and sons Doug, Bill and Chris–lived in the President’s House
on campus until it was destroyed by fire on New Year’s Eve, 1981.

“We can say with
certainty that he has been a good leader,” wrote Dr. Frances Flanagan in her
history of the college. “If we recall the struggling–no, staggering–junior
college in which Dr. Looney began his presidency and contrast that institution
with the energetic and assured college in which he will end his presidential
odyssey, we will see what he has accomplished.” 

Mooney retired
from MWSU in 1983, but returned to the workforce to lead the University of
Alaska Anchorage, then served eight years as chancellor of Missouri State
University-West Plains. He lived in Pontiac, Missouri.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

MWSU 1st President, Marvin O. Looney, dies at age 97

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>

Legislators upset that a bill they oppose becomes law don’t have a right to sue over it, attorneys defending the special session measure that provides&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-kansas-city-stadium-funding-st-louis-disaster-aid/">state support to professional sports stadiums</a>&nbsp;said in court on Tuesday.

“It’s not recognized in the state of Missouri that a legislator can come to the court simply because they don’t like a vote that was taken… the court system would be flooded,” Marc Ellinger, an attorney representing the Missouri General Assembly, argued in Cole County Circuit Court.

Ellinger was joined by assistant attorney general Sean McDowell in arguments seeking to dismiss the lawsuit filed in July by state Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, and state Rep. Bryant Wolfin, a Republican from Ste. Genevieve and conservative activist Ron Calzone.

Moon and the other plaintiffs want to throw out the entire legislative package, which includes tax credits for home repairs after natural disasters this year and property-tax restrictions for some counties.

The law, they say, goes beyond the bill’s original subject and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-legislators-file-lawsuit-claiming-stadium-funding-for-chiefs-royals-is-unconstitutional/">provides unconstitutional aid</a>&nbsp;to private interests. But if the state’s motion to dismiss is approved, they won’t get to argue these points in court.

Ellinger and McDowell argued the case can’t move forward, saying plaintiffs lack taxpayer standing and dismissing the idea of “legislative standing.”

“I don’t think there’s any standing for specific legislators to bring a case as the plaintiffs have,” McDowell said.

Taxpayer standing requires a direct expenditure and because the bill operates through tax credits and is “subject to appropriation,” there is no direct cost to the taxpayer, he argued.

Attorney Bevis Schock, who is representing the law’s challengers, said there are up-front costs to the bill such as an estimated $10,000 expense to create the tax-credit application.

“If these plaintiffs have no standing and we throw this case in the trash, we might as well pitch the constitution in there with it,” he wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Memo%20in%20Opposition%20to%20Defendants%20Motion%20to%20Dismiss.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3667593" target="_blank">in a pre-hearing filing</a>.

The purpose of the lawsuit, Schock said in court on Tuesday, is to challenge bills with multiple subjects.

“The problem is.. the voter can’t tell what item the legislator is for or against,” he said. “That is why we are bringing the case.”

If they lose in circuit court, Schock said, he will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Missouri AG, General Assembly seek to dismiss lawsuit against stadium funding bill

Jefferson City&nbsp;—&nbsp;Governor Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that he has authorized the Missouri National Guard (MONG) to assist with administrative, clerical, and logistical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facilities within the State of Missouri, according to a media release from the governor's office.

 This decision comes in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of War (DOW) to ensure the resources and personnel needed to effectively enforce immigration laws and maintain operational control of the border.

Missouri National Guard service members will provide support starting October 1, 2025, by assisting with tasks such as data entry, case management, and logistical support, enabling ICE personnel to focus on core enforcement and security functions. MONG personnel who have been assigned to this mission were selected on a volunteer basis.

“Public safety, keeping Missourians safe, and upholding the rule of law is our administration's top priority,” said&nbsp;Governor Kehoe. “The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts. Missouri is proud to join in the Trump administration's efforts to keep our state and nation secure.”

On July 25, 2025, the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved the duty status of DOW military personnel providing support at ICE processing facilities allowing for Title 32 duty status, which is a federally funded status under authority of the Governor. The Missouri National Guard regularly works alongside local, state, and federal agencies in support roles to ensure the safety and security of communities.

Military personnel are authorized to be on duty for this mission through September 30, 2026.

Gov. Kehoe authorizes Missouri National Guard to assist in ICE enforcement

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>

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins must try again to write ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban most abortions, a Cole County judge ruled Tuesday.

Circuit Judge Daniel Green, in his second ruling on the ballot description of the measure proposed by lawmakers, said that Hoskins got most of the language right.

But Hoskins’ language on the portion that will be the issue the question turns on — repealing the abortion rights protections approved by voters last year —&nbsp; is “insufficient and unfair” and must be revised, Green ruled.

Hoskins rewrote the ballot language&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/14/missouri-republicans-shut-down-senate-debate-to-pass-abortion-ban-repeal-sick-leave-law/">prepared by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;after Green ruled it, also, did not alert voters that<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-orders-revisions-to-ballot-language-for-missouri-abortion-ban-proposal/">&nbsp;it would repeal the voter-approved amendment.</a>

The measure would repeal the citizen-led initiative passed in 2024 that made Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missouri-voters-overturn-states-near-total-abortion-ban/">the first state to overturn an abortion ban</a>&nbsp;by guaranteeing the constitutional right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Green ruled that Hoskins also missed the mark by failing to inform voters of the repeal, taking issue with just one bullet point in Hoskins’ summary that reads:&nbsp;

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:&nbsp;&nbsp;

This summary “fails to adequately alert voters that the proposed constitutional amendment would abrogate&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?constit=y&amp;section=I%20%2036" target="_blank">Article 1, Section 36 of the Missouri Constitution,</a>&nbsp;which voters recently approved,” Green wrote.&nbsp;

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s Office in briefings submitted Monday said Hoskins’ latest language was sufficient because it stated the new amendment would cause a “modification” of state statute and that repeal language would be inaccurate because the new amendment “does not abolish all the constitutional rights first enshrined in Article I, section 36,” including the right to miscarriage care.

For example, the attorney general wrote, the new amendment “recognizes a right to abortion in some cases, and such a right was unprecedented in the Missouri Constitution before the voters enacted Article I, section 36 in 2024.”&nbsp;

Prior to the passage of the abortion rights amendment, nearly all abortions were illegal in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies.

Attorneys with The ACLU of Missouri and Stinson Law&nbsp;in briefings Monday said Hoskins’ new language “at best, pays lip service” to Green’s order but “does not describe the probable effects of the measure.”

Hoskins is obligated, they argued, “to tell voters that they are being asked to repeal, not merely amend, the right to reproductive freedom.”

Jefferson City attorney Chuck Hatfield, in his filing, also took issue with the use of a semi-colon in the statement, saying it contributes to the “grammatical nonsense” of the language sure to leave voters confused.

Green on Tuesday ruled that the remaining bullet points are now acceptable. They read:&nbsp;

“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

Under a law passed this year and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/24/judge-rules-unconstitutional-law-missouri-attorney-general-special-appeal-power/">upheld in a separate case by Green</a>, Hoskins has five days to submit revised ballot language to the court. If after that, Green decides the language still doesn’t follow the law, Hoskins has one&nbsp;more opportunity to rewrite it. If Green still doesn’t find the language satisfactory, the judge will rewrite it himself.&nbsp;

Hoskins was also responsible for writing the fair ballot statement that appears in polling places and on the office’s website that summarize what both a “yes” and “no” vote mean.

Green previously told Hoskins to rewrite the “fair ballot language” summary posted to the secretary of state’s website, calling the old language misleading for also failing to state abortion would be banned in most cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In his ruling Tuesday, Green deemed the new summary was sufficient.&nbsp;

This approved summary states that a “yes” vote would guarantee women’s medical care under specific scenarios, including ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages and allow abortions in the first 12 weeks festation in cases of rape or incest. It would also ban gender-affirming health care for minors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A “no” vote, Hoskins wrote, would “limit abortion” to specific scenarios.

As the one-year anniversary of the abortion rights amendment approaches, access to the procedure in Missouri remains limited as legal battles challenging a series of abortion regulations play out in the courts.

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/11/laws-regulations-medication-abortion-mifepristone-misoprostol-missouri/">Medication abortions remain halted.</a>&nbsp;Procedural abortions are available on a limited basis at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis.&nbsp;

Missouri judge says new ballot language again fails to mention repeal of abortion rights

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Shortly after 8:30a.m. on Sept. 28, police responded to the area of 7th and R Street in Atchison to check the welfare of several people in and around a parked vehicle, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

One of those persons was&nbsp; 22-year-old Christian Tollett of Branson, Missouri, who was found to be in possession of illegal drugs.

Tollett is being held in the county jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Drug suspect jailed after welfare check on parked car

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas woman avoided serious injury after a crash in Atchison.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, police responded to an accident in the 1000 block South 7th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; A 2013 Honda Pilot SUV driven by Rebecca Smith, 45, Atchison, was northbound on 7th Street when she struck a parked vehicle causing the Honda SUV to land on its side.

EMS responded to the scene. Smith was not injured.&nbsp;

Kansas woman avoids injury after SUV crash

December corn closed down 6 cents and March corn was down 6 1/2 cents. November soybeans closed down 8 3/4 cents and January soybeans were down 9 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed down 10 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 11 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 6 1/2 cents.

Grain markets were under pressure through Tuesday's session with selling intensifying on the release of overall bearish quarterly Grain Stocks and Small Grains Summary reports from USDA. Outside markets also leaned negatively on ag futures on Tuesday, with crude oil futures retreating to start the week back toward 2-month support near $62 per barrel. Meanwhile, equities were lower on Tuesday as well as investors weigh what a potential government shutdown could mean for markets moving forward, with bearish concerns being the potential for interference with the Federal Reserve's path to rate cuts, as well as job market concerns amid the potential for layoffs at the federal level.

Although the market started the day off weaker, the live cattle complex collectively advanced its position and traded slightly higher into Tuesday's closing bell. Unfortunately, the market continues to stagger around its 40-day moving average in the spot December contract as traders don't know which way to truly push the market just yet. On one hand, they look at the market's immediate fundamentals and are disappointed to see fed cash cattle prices and boxed beef prices continuing to drift lower as they typically do seasonally. But on the other hand, traders have also recognized that from a 10,000-foot view perspective, the market is still incredibly bullish with herd supplies at a multi-decade low, and the fact remaining that supplies can't be rebuilt overnight. Still no cash cattle trade has developed and it's not likely that any trade develops until Wednesday at the earliest. Bids and asking prices remain elusive at this point too.

The feeder cattle complex was not being as cautious as the live cattle market, as its contracts were confidently trading $3.00 higher into Tuesday's noon hour. And with the feeder cattle complex not up against immediate resistance pressure, it's likely that even if the live cattle market does weaken, the feeder cattle contracts should be able to maintain their momentum for the short term.

It was a painful morning for the lean hog complex as the market continued to break lower. Seeming unable to maintain the gains made just last week, the lean hog complex is continuing to back away from the highs scored late last week as fundamental support isn't as strong as traders need it to be.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/30144122/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The August Rural Mainstreet Index covering a multi-state region shows one-fifth of grain farmers will experience a negative cash flow in 2025. For the seventh time this year, the overall regional economic index sank below growth-neutral, falling to 38.5 in September, down from 48.1 in August. Also, for the 16th time in the past 17 months, farmland prices sank below growth-neutral. Elevated interest rates, higher input costs, and below breakeven prices caused the downward pressure on farmland. 

Farm equipment sales dropped below growth neutral for the 25th straight month. Three out of four bank CEOs reported that tariff increases have had a negative impact on farm operations. “Weak agricultural commodity prices for grain producers continue to dampen economic activity in the ten-state region covered by the Index,” said Dr. Ernie Goss. “Falling agricultural commodity prices represent the greatest threat to agricultural banks over the next 12 months.”

Rural Mainstreet Index turns negative

The USDA will issue a second Emergency Commodity Assistance Program payment to eligible producers for the 2024 crop year. Of the authorized $10 billion in ECAP assistance, USDA’s Farm Service Agency has already provided over $8 billion in payments to eligible producers to mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. “Initial ECAP payments were factored by 85 percent to ensure that total program payments didn’t exceed $10 billion in available funding,” said USDA Deputy Undersecretary Brooke Appleton. “Because additional funds remain, FSA is issuing another payment.” 

Payments will automatically be made to eligible producers with approved ECAP applications who received an initial payment. Any application approved after September 25 will receive one lump sum. Appleton said, “These payments, combined with the entire suite of supplemental disaster assistance programs, will help producers navigate market uncertainty, pay down debt from the 2024 crop year, and secure financing for 2026.” 

USDA issues second assistance payment to producers

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

Corn and soybean markets were moderately lower to begin the new week but also held nearby support as a good weather window across the U.S. Grain Belt looks to encourage harvest advancement. Wheat futures were higher, which offered support to the corn market, although technical resistance continues to hold those prices in check as well. Outside markets leaned negative on Monday with crude oil futures sharply lower on fears of another output increase when OPEC+ members meet this upcoming weekend. The U.S. dollar was lower for the second straight session, which likely worked to support wheat futures on Monday.

The live cattle complex is continuing to trade lower as the market looks around for reassuring support; but it isn't seeing much rise on Monday. October live cattle are down $0.35 at $231.45, December live cattle are down $0.45 at $233.85 and February live cattle are down $0.32 at $236.17. Thankfully (for the meantime) the spot December contract is remaining above the market's 40-day moving average, but the market seems to teeter at that threshold as traders aren't confident in which way the market should trade. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Kansas, but lower in Texas and Nebraska/Colorado.

The feeder cattle complex is mixed into Monday's noon hour as the market is unsettled seeing the live cattle contracts trade lower,; but some of the furthest deferred months are still trading higher. More than anything the futures complex seems to be held at a mere standstill, looking for support to develop, or waiting for more pressure to build to send the contracts one way or another.

Like the cattle complex, the lean hog market is mixed into Monday's noon hour. But following the big surge the lean hog market saw on Friday, it's quite commendable that the contracts that are trading lower are just doing so in a mild matter as traders could have panicked at Monday's start and opted to give back most of what Friday's trade secured.&nbsp;

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/08194004/30001.mp3">Here </a>for Audio

The White House budget office is instructing federal agencies to prepare reduction-in-force plans for mass firings during a possible government shutdown, specifically targeting employees who work for programs that are not legally required to continue. The Office of Management and Budget move to permanently reduce the government workforce if there is a shutdown, outlined in a memo shared with Politico ahead of release to agencies tonight, escalates the stakes of a potential shutdown next week. 

In the memo, OMB told agencies to identify programs, projects and activities where discretionary funding will lapse Oct. 1 and no alternative funding source is available. For those areas, OMB directed agencies to begin drafting RIF plans that would go beyond standard furloughs, permanently eliminating jobs in programs not consistent with President Donald Trump’s priorities in the event of a shutdown. 

The move marks a significant break from how shutdowns have been handled in recent decades, when most furloughs were temporary and employees were brought back once Congress voted to reopen government and funding was restored.

White House Says to Plan for Shutdown and Mass Firings; Risk for Shutdown Continues to Increase

Consumer demand for products like cheese, butter and yogurt that rely on protein and butterfat content continues to drive dairy sales growth in the U.S. and abroad. Over the past decade, milk delivered to U.S. dairy processing plants has become more nutrient-dense with higher levels of the two key components to meet rising demand. However, the pace of growth in butterfat content has far exceeded protein, which creates challenges for U.S. cheddar and American-style cheesemakers that rely on a more balanced ratio of the two. 

“U.S. dairy producers did an exceptional job increasing butterfat levels in milk to meet demand,” said Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist at CoBank. “For 10 years, the market couldn’t supply enough of it, and now there’s an oversupply – it’s almost too much of a good thing. Cheesemakers strive for a protein-to-fat ratio near 0.80. Anything significantly lower than that can reduce cheese quality and compromise production yields.”

A Butterfat Boom Leaves Cheesemakers Demanding More Protein

As of Sept.1, there were 74.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 1% from September 2024 but up 1% from June. 1, 2025, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Other key findings in the report were:

United States Hog Inventory Down 1%

December corn closed down 3 3/4 cents and March corn was down 3 1/2 cents. November soybeans closed up 1 1/2 cents and January soybeans were up 1 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 6 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 7 1/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 5 1/4 cents.

December corn closed down 2 cents and March corn was down 2 1/2 cents. November soybeans closed down 11 3/4 cents and January soybeans were down 11 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 1 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 2 3/4 cents and December Minneapolis wheat was up 1/4 cents.

It was another slow day for ag markets to close the week as grain and oilseed markets mainly adhered to technical signals ahead of the weekend break. The biggest ag news for Friday was President Trump's comments late Thursday that the administration plans to disperse part of the revenue generated from tariffs as an aid package to U.S. farmers who are hurting amid low prices. The market reaction to this news was muted, although there was perhaps some bearish undertones in the implication of President Trump's statement that farmers will continue to be hurt "for a little while" being that ag-centric trade agreements may not be close currently. In outside market news, Personal Consumption Expenditure data came in as expected with the core index showing a 2.9% inflation reading, steady with July, and likely keeping the Federal Reserve's path to rate cuts in upcoming meetings clear. Energy markets were also firm Friday, with November crude oil futures trading to their highest level since early August.

After starting the day off with a rocky start, the live cattle complex thankfully traded mostly higher into Friday's closing bell, but with the market's deferred contracts again seeing the biggest daily increases. The spot December contract is thankfully back to trading slightly above the market's 40-day moving average, which will continue to be an important threshold to monitor, as a close beneath that price point could indicate continued downward pressure. Thus far this week Northern dressed cattle have traded at mostly $365, which is $6.00 lower than last week's weighted average and Southern live cattle have been marked at mostly $237, which is $3.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average.

The feeder cattle complex also trading higher into Friday's noon hour as the market continues to closely track alongside the live cattle market. Unlike the live cattle market, however, the feeder cattle contracts saw more steady gains throughout all the contracts, nearby and deferred. The spot November contract is currently trading above the market's 40-day moving average, and hopefully, with continued strong sales in the countryside, the market should be able to close above that threshold so long as nothing dramatic happens.

Feeling empowered by Thursday's Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report and by the morning uptick in pork cutout values, the lean hog complex traded fully higher into Friday's close. As a matter of fact, the market is currently seeing the spot December contract reach new contract highs as fundamental support is ample. The market will likely be able to sustain this momentum at least in the short term.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/26140511/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Multiple grain traders are reporting that Chinese soybean buyers have booked at least ten and perhaps as many as 20 cargoes, of Argentinian soybeans after the country decided to scrap export taxes. That’s another setback to America’s farmers, who are already shut out of their number one market and hurting from low prices. Removing the tax on exports boosts the competitiveness of Argentina’s soybeans, prompting traders to purchase cargoes for fourth-quarter inventories in China, a period that’s usually dominated by U.S. soybean imports. 

However, Reports say that’s now clouded by Washington’s trade war with Beijing. One trader said Chinese buyers booked a total of 15 cargoes, dealing a fresh blow to America’s farmers, missing out on billions in soybean sales to China halfway through their prime marketing season. Argentina temporarily eliminated export taxes on grains and their by-products, as well as on beef and poultry, in a bid to spur sales abroad and bring in much-needed income. 

China’s soybean buyers now turning to Argentina

Last week, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins and USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg announced a new three-point plan to support American agricultural producers and exporters. The plan was announced during remarks at the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The first of three points is the America First Trade Promotion Program. 

USDA will kickstart the trade promotion program in fiscal year 2026. The second is a new model of trade missions that supplements the current model. The third point is an effort to revitalize export finance opportunities by reducing financial risk to lenders with credit guarantees to encourage exports to buyers in countries that have sufficient financial strength to have foreign exchange available for scheduled payments. “Advancing these programs as supplements to our existing programs ensures the health, prosperity, and security of rural America, and our farmers, ranchers, and producers,” Lindberg said.  

USDA three-point plan to support producers and exporters

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A stark reminder of the importance of paying attention while driving, ditching all distractions, and focusing on the road, according to a social media report from the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop B.

 While children were about to load onto a stopped school bus in Douglas County near U.S. 56 and Kansas 33, a truck rear-ended the bus. 

"Sixteen children on their way to school, in what is supposed to be the safest way to get them there, shook and jarred by another vehicle that failed to stop for the bus."

There were no injuries to any children headed to school and only minor injuries to the truck driver.&nbsp;

KHP: Students avoid injury after truck rear-ends Kan. school bus

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

On September 27, the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of unlawful sexual solicitation involving an 18-year-old girl.

According to the report a 58-year-old man requested to meet with the young woman near Eskridge, Kansas last week, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.

 During the brief meeting, the suspect is alleged to have provided the victim with cash and a condom and is alleged to have solicited her. Deputies met with the victim, collected evidence and initiated a proactive investigation. 

Due to evidence collected during this WBSO proactive investigative action to include the totality of circumstances and objective reasonableness on On September 30. , the suspect, identified as JD Hill of Eskridge was taken into custody without incident. 

&nbsp;Hill was transported to WBCO Jail where he is presently confined on a $5,000 bond on requested charges of (Attempted) Buying Sexual Relations, Hiring a person to engage. The case will be forwarded to the Wabaunsee County Attorney for review of formal charges.

58-year-old Kan. man accused of sex crimes involving teen

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Kansas district court judge on Tuesday dismissed a case filed by Attorney General Kris Kobach that challenged the right of Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration to withhold Kansans’ personal data from the federal government.

In a 21-page order, Judge Teresa Watson sided with Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard, citing multiple issues with Kobach’s request to force the release of data related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The federal government’s Food and Nutrition Services program in May began demanding the release of personal information of people who have applied for or used the SNAP program.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/07/30/state-officials-again-refuse-to-release-kansans-personal-data-to-usda/">Howard repeatedly denied the release</a>, pointing to regulations guiding how data should be shared between agencies.

Kobach took&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/19/sad-political-stunt-lawsuit-between-kobach-kansas-governor-heats-up/">Howard and the state to court</a>&nbsp;to force the release of the data, indicating in court filings that he believes compliance is required by state and federal law. He also expressed concern that $10.4 million related to SNAP administrative funding would be withheld from Kansas by the federal government because of the failure to turn over the data.

“We disagree with the judge’s interpretation of ripeness and are considering an appeal. Regardless, the governor continues to defy Kansas law,” Kobach said in a statement to Kansas Reflector. “Needy Kansans have now lost $10.4 million in food assistance because of her political theatrics. That money is not coming back.”

Ripeness refers to part of Watson’s reasoning for choosing to dismiss the case and refers to whether a case is developed and appropriate to be heard.

Watson said the ripeness requirement prevents courts from becoming entangled in abstract disagreements. In this case, she found that because the state has filed an appeal and the full administrative review process has not been completed, the case is not “ripe.”

Kelly, in a news release, accused Kobach of engaging in “low-rent political theater, wasting taxpayer dollars, and spreading misinformation.” She emphasized that no money has been lost from federal funding for SNAP administrative costs.

“I appreciate the court granting my administration’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that the Attorney General’s actions were premature as we continue through the USDA’s administrative review process and that my administration does not have a legal duty to turn over Kansans’ personal information at this time,” Kelly said.

Watson stated in her decision that considering the duties of Howard and the Kansas administration to work with the federal program doesn’t mean that they must “perform in a prescribed manner without regard to the exercise of judgment.”

The Food and Nutrition Services department offers a multi-step administrative process to appeal the decisions to withhold any dollars from Kansas, and the state has filed an appeal, Watson said.

“The comprehensive administrative review available for the disallowance itself (suggests) that the state agency has some discretion in deciding how to respond to the request for SNAP participant data — or at least gives rise to the possibility of a ‘substantial dispute’ about how to respond,” Watson wrote.

Kelly’s news release said Kobach has&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/22/kansas-governors-office-disputes-accuracy-of-kobachs-claims-about-snap-funding/">made false claims</a>&nbsp;multiple times that the state has lost $10.4 million in administrative funding.

“After the (U.S. Department of Agriculture) rejected the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Corrective Action Proposal, DCF filed an appeal with the USDA,” the news release said. “The filing of that appeal immediately prevented the USDA from withholding the $10.4 million.”

“It is laughable to suggest that she will be able to persuade the USDA to change its decision,” he said. “And now, because of the governor’s desire to thumb her nose at the Trump administration, needy Kansans will lose another $10.4 million of food assistance in December.”

The $10.4 million funding loss, if upheld after the appeal, will occur quarterly until the state turns over the data, according to a USDA letter sent to the state. The dollars are designated for administrative cost and do not affect SNAP recipients.&nbsp;

Kansas judge dismisses lawsuit over governor’s refusal to give food program data to feds

The government shutdown has begun after Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running by Wednesday’s deadline. Several members of the Missouri Congressional delegation responded to the stalemate on social media.

🎥Missouri lawmakers respond to government shutdown

The government shutdown has begun after Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running by Wednesday’s deadline. Members of the Kansas Congressional delegation responded to the stalemate.

🎥Kansas lawmakers respond to government shutdown

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are&nbsp;investigating an aggravated battery at a memory care facility involving residents of the facility. 

Shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday, emergency services were called to a long-term care facility near 75th and Switzer Road in Overland Park, according to Officer John Lacy. 

Upon arrival, Johnson County Emergency Medical Services determined there were two residents who were in need of medical care. EMS responders transported them to a local hospital. One of the involved residents, a 66-year-old man, received life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. A second resident, a 71-year-old man, had non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation led detectives to believe a third resident was responsible for the injuries to the other two residents. The suspect, an 84-year-old man, is being evaluated at a local hospital and is pending disposition. He is cooperating with investigators.

Staff from the long-term care facility are cooperating with the investigation. The families of the involved subjects have been notified and requested privacy at this time. 

Police: 2 injured after assault at Kan. memory care facility 

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt released the following statement blasting Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats for voting&nbsp;against a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government and prevent a government shut down.

“Democrats just rejected a funding bill to keep the government open and instead chose to yield to their base of radical leftists and shut the government down. This is political theater at the expense of hardworking American families we swore an oath to represent. The American people deserve a government that puts their interests first, not one that shuts the government down to score petty partisan points. The ball remains in their court. Republicans will continue to fight for a responsible, commonsense path forward, while Democrats continue to grandstand,”&nbsp;said Senator Schmitt.

🎥Mo. U.S. Senator blasts Dems for shutting down the government

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>-

WASHINGTON — The federal government started shutting down early Wednesday after Congress failed to approve a funding bill before the beginning of the new fiscal year — resulting in widespread ramifications for hundreds of programs and giving the Trump administration an avenue to fire federal workers en masse.

The U.S. Senate was unable to advance two short-term government funding bills Tuesday when Democrats and Republicans deadlocked for the second time this month, with just hours to go before the midnight Tuesday shutdown deadline.

Senators voted<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00535.htm" target="_blank">&nbsp;55-45</a>&nbsp;on Republicans’ bill that would fund the government for seven weeks and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00534.htm" target="_blank">47-53</a>&nbsp;on a Democratic stopgap proposal that would keep the lights on for a month and included several health care provisions that they said were needed for their support. Neither had the 60 votes needed to advance.&nbsp;

Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and Maine independent Sen. Angus King voted with GOP senators on their stopgap bill. Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul voted against it.

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought said in a<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/M-25-35-Status-of-Agency-Operations.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;memo</a>&nbsp;to departments and agencies Tuesday night after the Senate vote that “affected agencies should now execute their plans for an orderly shutdown.” Vought said federal employees should report for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake shutdown activities.

The consequences of a shutdown will be sweeping in the nation’s capital and across the country, where states are&nbsp;<a href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/09/30/arkansas-agencies-directed-to-furlough-employees-if-federal-government-shuts-down/" target="_blank">bracing for the impact.</a>&nbsp;About&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/about-750000-federal-workers-will-be-furloughed-shutdown-nonpartisan-cbo-projects" target="_blank">750,000 federal workers</a>&nbsp;could be furloughed, leading to a $400 million impact a day, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported. All federal employees would go unpaid until the shutdown is over.

Additionally, the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-threatens-mass-firings-federal-employees-government-shutdown" target="_blank">plans to lay off</a>&nbsp;thousands of federal employees, which would reshape the federal workforce. President Donald Trump again vowed Tuesday to undertake layoffs and a major government employee union filed suit in federal court in advance of such a move.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said hours before the votes there wouldn’t be any talks with Democrats during a shutdown.&nbsp;

“The negotiation happens when the government is open. So let’s keep the government open and then we will have the negotiations,” Thune said.&nbsp;

“We’re happy to sit down and talk about these issues that they’re interested in,” he said. “But it should not have anything to do with whether or not for a seven-week period we keep the government open, so that this government can continue to do its work and that we can do our work through the regular appropriations process to fund the government.”&nbsp;

After the votes failed, Thune expressed his frustration with Democrats during a press conference.&nbsp;

“This is so unnecessary and uncalled for,” he said.&nbsp;

Thune said he plans to bring up a vote on the continuing resolution again. He said as soon as Wednesday the federal government can be funded if five Democrats voted with Republicans.&nbsp;

“Democrats may have chosen to shut down the government, but we can reopen it tomorrow,” Thune said.&nbsp;

Republican Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming said the “cracks in the Democrats are already showing,” noting that three Democrats voted with Republicans Tuesday night.&nbsp;

“There is bipartisan support for keeping the government open,” Barrasso said. “We’re happy to see that the Democrats are already starting to break from (Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer) and we’re going to continue to offer a clean (continuing resolution) on the floor of the Senate to open the government for the next seven weeks.”

Health care tax credits at center of standoff

The disagreement isn’t entirely about GOP lawmakers writing their short-term funding bill behind closed doors and then expecting Democrats to help advance it in the Senate, where bipartisanship is required for major legislation.

Democratic leaders have raised concerns for weeks about the end-of-year sunset of enhanced tax credits for people who buy their health insurance on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, arguing a solution is needed now ahead of the open enrollment period starting on Nov. 1.&nbsp;

Democrats have also grown increasingly frustrated with the White House budget office’s unilateral actions on spending, arguing Vought is significantly eroding Congress’ constitutional power of the purse.&nbsp;Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the Republican chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/maine-gop-sen-collins-says-trump-should-be-sued-gao-illegally-canceling-funds" target="_blank">said Tuesday&nbsp;</a>the Government Accountability Office should sue the Trump administration over its efforts to freeze or unilaterally cancel spending approved by Congress.&nbsp;

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats need an agreement with Republicans to extend the enhanced tax credits.&nbsp;

Schumer said people will begin getting notices in October telling them how much the cost of their ACA plans will increase during the next year, which he expects will ratchet up pressure on Republican leaders to broker a bipartisan agreement.&nbsp;

“We’re going to be right there explaining to them it’s because the Republicans wouldn’t negotiate with us,” Schumer said, referring to consumers. “We’re ready to do it anytime. And there will be huge heat on (Republicans) on this issue.”

People who buy health insurance on the ACA marketplace and receive subsidies through enhanced ACA tax credits could expect to pay on average more than double for annual premiums in 2026 if the credits expire as scheduled at the end of this year, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/aca-marketplace-premium-payments-would-more-than-double-on-average-next-year-if-enhanced-premium-tax-credits-expire/" target="_blank">analysis</a>&nbsp;released Tuesday by the nonprofit health policy research organization KFF.&nbsp;

The analysis found premiums could increase from an average of $888 this year to $1,904 in 2026.

Schumer also rebuffed GOP leaders saying that Democrats want to include people without legal immigration status in federal health care programs.&nbsp;

“They say that undocumented people are going to get these credits. That is absolutely false. That is one of the big lies they tell, so they don’t have to discuss the issues,” Schumer said. “The federal government by law that we passed does not fund health insurance for undocumented immigrants in Medicaid, nor the ACA nor Medicare. Undocumented immigrants do not get federal health insurance premiums.”&nbsp;

Immigrants in the country without legal authorization&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/5-key-facts-about-immigrants-and-medicaid/" target="_blank">are not eligible</a>&nbsp;for Medicaid, and neither are most immigrants with legal status, such as those with student visas or enrollment in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA.&nbsp;

Only immigrants with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tbl1_ovrvw-fed-pgms-rev-2024-04-1.pdf" target="_blank">“qualified status,”</a>&nbsp;such as legal permanent residents, asylees and refugees, are able to get Medicaid benefits, and they usually have to wait five years before their coverage can even begin.&nbsp;

Democrats explain why they voted with GOP&nbsp;

Cortez Masto of Nevada wrote in a statement explaining her vote to advance the GOP stopgap bill that she could not support “a costly shutdown that would hurt Nevada families and hand even more power to this reckless administration.”

“We need a bipartisan solution to address this impending health care crisis, but we should not be swapping the pain of one group of Americans for another,” she added. “I remain focused on protecting health care for working families, and I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work together to tackle this problem.”

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