North Central
Missouri College in Trenton celebrates throughout this year its 100th
anniversary.

North Central
President, Lenny Klaver, says the college has been on a growth spurt, pointing
in particular to its partnership with Missouri Western State University on the
Houlne Center for Convergent Technology on the St. Joseph campus.

“We took a risk to
do this and it is the first two-year, four-year partnership in the state where
we have combined on a facility to meet workforce needs,” Klaver tells
KFEQmmunity. “And I think when you consider that St. Joseph is the third
largest exporter in the state of manufactured goods and industry, if all things
go well, we’ll be continuing to ramp up as the years go forward.”

Based in Trenton,
North Central Missouri College serves a 17-county region of north-northwest
Missouri. It all began 100 years ago in the third floor of the Trenton High
School with only 57 students. Enrollment at North Central continues to inch
upward. This fall, NCMC saw a 2% increase in enrollment with a record number of
students enroll:&nbsp; 1,987.

Klaver says a
foray into the western part of its service area has helped North Central. The
college recently remodeled at old car dealership to open a branch in Savannah.

“It’s worked very
well. Our growth in Savannah has been tremendous. We’ve had great support from
the community,” according to Klaver. “We’ve continued to grow in enrollment,
overall, with a large part of that growth in Savannah.”

Klaver says the
key to growth over the years and growth in the future is a focus on the
individual student, what the college calls the uncommon attention it gives its
students.

“And that we meet
the needs in the terms of the technical and career areas, whether it’s
agriculture, industry, health care, nursing, etc.,” Klaver says. “We need to
keep our ear to the ground on what’s going on in the regional economy and we
need to continue to meet that in terms of the programs we offer and the quality
of the programs we offer.”

Klaver says it’s
all about staying current.

“We need to be
able to adapt on the fly. We need to be able to continue to offer quality; the
affordable, accessible opportunity for students to get a college education that
otherwise they may not have.”

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

North Central MO College celebrates 100 years, expansion & growing enrollment

Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph is offering free prostate cancer screenings this weekend 

Dr. Andrew Walker at the Mosaic Cancer Center says getting these prostate screenings is important 

"The United States Preventative Task Force actually recommended against prostate cancer screening years ago, and what we found was that prostate cancer mortality went up dramatically,” Walker tells reporters.  “So, we’ve learned that if we can diagnose prostate cancer at an earlier stage, we’re more likely to be able to cure more prostate cancers.” 

The screenings will be held on Friday and Saturday at the Cancer Center.  Walker says patients who come in should expect just a simple blood draw 

"It’s as simple as any other blood test, there’s nothing else invasive about the whole process, and we do have the results back within a few days,” Walker says. 

Mallory Lefler a nurse at the Cancer Center says screening and early detection are the keys with treating any sort of cancer  

"With breast cancer you have mammograms, with colon cancer you have colonoscopies, this is one of those things you can do to at least catch things in the earlier process as Dr. Walker had said,” Lefler explains. “So, just taking power over your health really, being an active advocate for yourself, and just coming in and making that step.” 

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men and men age 50 and older are encouraged to get a screening to take the steps to help protect their health.  

 Walker says holding this free event at Mosaic is two-fold 

"One we take the cost factor out of this for those in the community,” Walker says.  “And also, if guys have been putting this off you don’t have to make an appointment, we do prefer if you schedule ahead, but if you’re available and just want to drop in and have a free PSA test it kind of takes out any of the planning involved in seeing your primary care physician.”  

It's encouraged to register ahead of time on Mosaic Life Care's website but walk ins will be accepted.  The event will run from 4 to 7pm on Friday and 8 to 11am on Saturday.  

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

Mosaic Life Care offers free prostate cancer screening this weekend

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Monday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Chevy Traverse driven by a 20-year-old Philadelphia, Mo., man was southbound on U.S. 65 five miles south of Trenton. The driver swerved to miss a deer.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the west side of the road and struck a guardrail.

Grundy County EMS transported the driver to Wright Memorial Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man hospitalized after SUV strikes a guardrail

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Monday in Clinton County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Kenworth semi driven by a 65-year-old Shawnee, Kansas man was eastbound on MO 116 at Interstate 35 in Lathrop. As the driver made a left turn into a private drive, the vehicle traveled into the path of a westbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 37-year-old Lathrop woman. The front of the semi struck the front of the Jeep.

Tri-County EMS transported the Jeep driver to Liberty Hospital. The semi driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman injured after crash with a semi

The Chiefs return to Arrowhead after notching their first win of the season. Be a part of them turning it into a streak of winning this Sunday as they square off against the Ravens. Enter to win a pair of tickets to the game up until Thursday night (9/25/25) at 9:27 pm

Enter To Win Tickets To Chiefs Vs. Ravens

It's officially the first day of autumn.  

Leaves on the trees will begin changing, and the Missouri Department of Conservation is predicting a promising season of fall colors in the northwest region of the state.   

In fact, Forester Timothy Wolfe says some leaves have already begun to change.  

"Your Sumacs and as well as Walnut trees they’ve somewhat started, but our harder woods, like Hickories and some of the Oak species, those are going to start a little later,” Wolfe tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  “So, we’ve started now, and I anticipate that we’ll probably be around that October 20th area is going to be our peak fall color based on the current conditions that we have.” 

 Wolfe with the Missouri Department of Conservation says the weather at the end of summer set the northwest region up for a promising bout of fall color 

"Increasing cooler temperatures there towards the end of August, which was wonderful, we had a hot spell for a hot minute and then it transitioned into those cooler nights and warmer days, which is exactly what we are looking for for that transitional change,” Wolfe explains. 

Wolfe says by the end of October it will be past the peak season of colors and things will start browning out after that, depending on the different variations of tree.    

Wolfe says there are some prime places to view the fall colors in the northwest region  

"You get down like on the river side, like 59 Highway or even like T Highway that goes down there along Amazonia and those areas, and even in St. Joseph southside like the Bluffwoods Conservation Area along those highways you’re going to see those hillsides, those hillsides are going to produce the good colors that we’re probably potentially getting to look for,” Wolfe says 

Wolfe says some of the best areas to view the fall colors can be driving along the Loess Bluffs system or walking into open areas such as the Mark Youngdahl Conservation area in St. Joseph.    

The Missouri Department of Conservation also offers reports on its website to the conditions where some of the best fall colors are around the state. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

Let Conservation Dept. guide you to watching fall colors

The United States House has approved on a
party-line vote a measure to keep the federal government running for the next
seven weeks as budget negotiators try to reach agreement on a new spending
plan.

Eastern Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt,
a Republican, says this is a major step toward Congress returning to the normal
budget process.

“I’m really encouraged that for the first
time in many years it looks like Congress is poised to enact, I’m not quite
prepared to say all, but at least several of the annual appropriations bills,”
Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We should be doing all, but for some years,
they’ve been doing none.”

The federal government currently is
living off a continuing resolution reached a year ago. Congress hasn’t approved
an actual budget for years.

Schmidt says it appears House budget
committee members have agreement on three of the 12 budget bills, with many
others close to completion.

The deal has already been met with a rough
reception in the Senate, where Republicans will have to have Democratic votes
to approve an extension. Senate Republicans brought the House measure up for a
vote and it fell well short of the votes needed for passage.

Schmidt says the move by the House is an
important step toward returning to the regular budget process.

“So, we’re trying to get back on track
with doing these individual bills with lots of eyeballs looking at programs and
saying, do we really need to do this and if not, how do we it differently or should
we just end it or do we need to do more here?&nbsp;
All that sort of thing,” Schmidt says. “That’s what people mean when
they say we need to get back to regular order. But, most of us who live in the
real world don’t run around the cafes in eastern Kansas talking about regular
order. We talk about government being efficient and doing its job. It’s the
same thing.”

Schmidt says Congress needs to return to
the regular budget process, not rely on continuing resolutions, which are
intended to be stopgap measures.

“The one that we are operating under last
year just basically kept the government going for an entire year,” Schmidt
says. “It’s not optimal. We may end up doing that for some of the agencies, but
I don’t want to do it for all of them. I want to get as many of these done in a
line-by-line, thoughtful way as we possibly can.”

Schmidt is hopeful Congress will pass all
12 budget bills, but says he would be satisfied if agreement can be reached on
at least a majority of them.

Congressman Schmidt hopes Congress can move to a regular budget process

Patients with the
St. Joseph Health Department are being notified their personal information
might have been compromised due to the June 9th data breach.

The City of St.
Joseph says these notices are intended to alert potentially impacted
individuals of the incident and the steps the city is taking in wake of the
breach. The city experienced a network disruption on June 9th. An
investigation determined that certain files might have been acquired during the
breach. 

St. Joseph engaged
a data mining vendor to review the incident and after an extensive review
concluded on September 4th a hacker might have acquired some
individual health information from the St. Joseph Health Department.

The city is
providing written notice to individuals whose personal health information was compromised.

St. Joseph city
officials report the following information could have been acquired and
disclosed by an unauthorized third party:&nbsp;
first name, last name, date of birth, driver's license number or state
identification number, passport number, Social Security number, and medical
diagnosis of treatment information.

The city says it
is committed to helping those people who may have been impacted by the data
breach.

Individuals
seeking more information or questions about this incident, should call 1-833-844-5829,
from 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday.

St. Joseph notifying city health patients about impact of data breach

December corn closed up 4 1/2 cents and March corn was up 4 1/4 cents. November soybeans closed up 1 cents and January soybeans were up 1 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 9 1/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 9 3/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 3 3/4 cents.

Row-crop futures were mostly higher Tuesday following ugly price action Monday, particularly in the soybean complex as renewed bearish concerns on U.S. export share has gripped the market over the past several sessions. Corn, soybean, and wheat markets in the meanwhile have fallen back to chart support, which helped to slow the price plunge at least for Tuesday. In outside markets, equities were mixed in quiet trade while crude oil futures led the energy sector higher following a 4-day skid, again finding price support near $62 per barrel.

The live cattle complex traded mixed into Tuesday's closing bell, seeming as though the nearby contracts were hesitant to advance, as the market questions whether or not it has enough support to surpass current resistance levels. Meanwhile, the deferred contracts traded fully higher, with once again the furthest deferred months seeing the greatest gains. No developments have surfaced in the fed cash cattle market, as it's most likely that trade will be delayed until later in the week.

The live cattle contracts may have been feeling some resistance pressure, but the feeder cattle contracts were trading higher -- full steam ahead. It was interesting to note as well that the morale in the countryside was stronger, as prices were mostly higher across all weight classes. More than anything, it seemed as though the support of the futures complex reassured buyers to continue on with their bidding.

It was a breakout kind of morning for the lean hog contracts as traders have pushed the contracts well beyond their previous resistance thresholds. If the market is to maintain this elevated position, it will be imperative that demand holds strong and lends traders some additional fundamental support. Please also note that on Thursday, the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report will be released from the USDA.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/23135852/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on September 1, 2025. That level was near pre-report trade predictions and one percent below September 1, 2024. Most reports said that the September number shows historically tight U.S. supplies, but may also show farmers are starting to retain some heifers in the American cattle herd. 

State-by-state reports also show some higher numbers, including Texas at 91 percent compared to last year, Oklahoma at 95 percent, while Kansas is at 103 percent, and Iowa and Nebraska were at 105 percent compared to last year. Placements in feedlots during August totaled 1.78 million head, 10 percent below last year. Net placements were 1.7 million head. Fed cattle marketings in August reached 1.57 million head, 14 percent below last year and the lowest for August since 1996. 

U.S. cattle on feed down one percent

Mexico’s National Health Service confirmed a new case of New World screwworm less than 70 miles from the border between Mexico and the U.S. USDA says this is the farthest north the screwworm has advanced in Mexico during the current outbreak, and it is the most threatening to the American livestock industry. The location of the outbreak is on a major highway between Monterrey, Mexico, and Laredo, Texas. 

Colin Woodall, the CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says the news is deeply concerning. “The speed that the screwworm has moved through Mexico is a reminder that this pest poses a critical and urgent threat to America’s cattle producers,” he said. “We appreciate the USDA’s investment in resources to protect American agriculture and the FDA’s work to authorize emergency treatments for screwworm, and look forward to additional product approvals.” He also said it’s time to expedite the construction of a new sterile fly facility. 

Screwworm moves closer to U.S. border

December corn closed down 2 1/4 cents at $4.21 3/4 and March corn closed down 2 1/2 cents per bushel at $4.38 3/4 and November soybeans closed down 14 1/2 cents at $10.11 and January soybeans were down 14 1/4 cents at $10.30 1/2. December KC wheat closed down 5 cents at $5.02 1/4, December Chicago wheat was down 11 3/4 cents at $5.10 3/4 and December Minneapolis wheat was down 0.04 cents at $5.6375.

Corn, soybeans and wheat fell hard in unison Monday with soybeans and wheat leading the way down. November soybeans crashed through the 50-day moving average and plunged Monday, making it four consecutive days of losses. The fact that no China grain deal has yet to be inked, the advancing harvest of corn and beans, and rising world wheat supplies combined to weigh down ag markets at the start of the new week.

The live cattle complex was on fire this morning as the traders were celebrating Friday's bullish Cattle on Feed report and are optimistic about the news that is supposed to be released soon from the USDA on a plan to "help rebuild the American cattle supply, incentivize our great ranchers, and drive a full-scale revitalization of the American beef industry." The spot December contract is nearing its resistance pressure, which could cause traders some anxiety technically if they don't know what exactly is going to develop fundamentally this week or what the big announcement from the USDA is going to be. New showlists are higher in Nebraska/Colorado, steady in Texas, but lower in Kansas.

The feeder cattle complex traded limit higher in its furthest deferred months as traders clearly noted the lack of placements on Friday's Cattle on Feed report, and are extremely optimistic to see what the USDA is soon going to unveil. But in the meantime, the market is rocking and rolling as yet another bullish leg seems to have been added to the cattle market.

The lean hog complex traded mostly higher into Monday's closing bell as the market is pleased to again see that pork cutout values were higher this morning. The biggest help this morning in terms of pushing the carcass price higher was the belly's $5.18 jump, along with the $4.50 increase in the picnic.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/22140121/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

An overwhelming majority of corn growers from across the United States say that the nation’s farm economy is possibly already in a crisis or on the brink of one, according to a new survey released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). “Farmers are in a lot of economic pain right now” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. We need members of Congress to act fast to remove barriers to markets. 

Passing legislation for the year-round, nationwide sale of higher blends of ethanol would be an important first step in addressing this problem.” In the survey of 1,034 farmers conducted by Farm Journal from Aug. 28 to Sept. 10, nearly half (46%) indicated that they believe the United States is on the brink of a farm crisis. A total of 80% of those surveyed indicated they believe the farm economy maybe or ‘is’ on the brink of a farm crisis. 

Farmers report grim economic outlook

On Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed three nominees for critical positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These nominees were included as part of a package of 48 subcabinet level nominees, all of whom received bipartisan support when they were considered by their respective committees. USA Rice reports, the final confirmation vote on the package of nominees was 51 to 47. 

The three USDA nominees include Richard Fordyce from northern Missouri, to serve as the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation; Dudley Hoskins to serve as the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; and Scott Hutchins to serve as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics.  “We are excited that Richard, Dudley, and Scott are finally getting approved by the full Senate so they can head these key farmer-facing mission areas at the USDA,” said Peter Bachmann, USA Rice President and CEO.

Senate confirms three key USDA nominees

December corn closed up 1/4 cents and March corn was down 1/4 cents. November soybeans closed down 12 cents and January soybeans were down 11 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed down 2 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 1 3/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 4 1/4 cents.

December corn closed down 6 cents and March corn was down 6 cents. November soybeans closed down 20 3/4 cents and January soybeans were down 20 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed down 7 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was down 1 cents and December Minneapolis wheat was down 4 1/4 cents.

It was a two-sided session across U.S. row-crop futures to close the week. Trade began with a general sense of optimism as the awaited phone call between President Trump and China's President Xi began right around 8 a.m. EDT Friday morning. Soybean futures raced to a 10-cent gain at one point before crashing by late morning to double-digit losses at one point after soybeans didn't appear to be near the top of the list of issues discussed between the two leaders. That being said, the talks did appear to be cause for some optimism as it is reported that Presidents Trump and Xi will meet in person in South Korea later this fall, and that President Trump would travel to China early in 2026, both positive signs in the trade relationship. For outside markets, the news of an approved deal on TikTok as well as the aforementioned other positives, sent equities higher to close the week, with a firmer U.S. dollar as well. Lastly, energy markets pressured ag futures to close the week, dropping for a third straight session as the Russian sanction bullish move has run its course for the time being amid ample world oil supplies.

The live cattle complex traded fully higher into Friday's closing bell as the marketplace has again found some favor from traders. Bids were on the table this morning in the fed cash cattle sector as more cattle needed to trade before the week's end. Asking prices were firm at $242 plus in the South and at $372 plus in the North. So far this week, a light trade took place in the North at $370, which is $6.00 lower than last week's weighted average. And yes, a regional packer did pay as much as $376, which is steady with last week's weighted average, but that was only on a few head. Some light trade did take place in the South at $240, which is steady to last week's weighted average as well. Do note that this afternoon, the monthly Cattle on Feed report will be shared, and the placement data will again be the wild card as pre-report estimates were all over the place.

And once again, the feeder cattle complex fell right in line with what the live cattle contracts are doing as traders push both markets higher. It is worth noting, however, that the market is again seeing the biggest day-over-day gains in the furthest deferred months as those contracts were trading as much as $4.00 higher.

The lean hog complex traded mostly higher into Friday's closing bell as traders are comfortable letting the complex chop sideways/slightly higher. It is helpful that midday pork cutout values were stronger, but it's unlikely and traders didn't do anything wild in the futures complex ahead of the weekend.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/19143240/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

In a press release by the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees (NAFEC), the group reports that FSA offices "are critically understaffed," yet USDA officials have publicly denied those concerns. Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden at the Farm Progress Show in late August rejected the notion FSA offices are short on staff. Vaden said USDA would not be asking for temporary or permanent FSA staffing levels. 

Leaders at FSA in recent meetings have indicated staffing levels of county office employees are now under 6,000, as compared to several thousand more, just a few years ago. The word we are consistently hearing is that our county office staffs are critically understaffed, said Jim Zumbrink, President of NAFEC, and a grain and turkey farmer from Ohio. "Staff will find it very difficult to perform the complex work of managing disaster programs and ongoing programs, with the speed agriculture producers in America, both expect and desperately need."

Farmer leaders rebuke USDA officials over FSA county staffing levels

Already, farm bankruptcies as of July exceed those over the full year of 2024. Many forces have buffeted American agriculture. U.S. News and World Report says low commodity prices, a persistent issue for years, now come with higher costs for inputs like fertilizer and equipment. Climate change has led to deeper, longer droughts and more flooding. Trade wars aren’t helping. Tariffs on other countries’ exports to the U.S. make those products more expensive to import. 

Retaliations from some countries are hitting farmers directly. China, once the main customer for U.S. soybeans, has been boycotting them. Moreover, Beijing’s retaliatory tariffs make U.S. soybeans 20% pricier than their South American competitors, according to the American Soybean Association. “U.S. soybean farmers are standing at a trade and financial precipice,” said ASA President Caleb Ragland, a soybean farmer from Kentucky. “Prices continue to drop, and at the same time farmers are paying significantly more for inputs and equipment.”

‘Trying to stick around’: U.S. farmers fight for survival

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

U.S. ag futures were lower for the most part Thursday as traders remain hesitant to overcommit to long positions ahead of the ramping up of U.S. harvest with large U.S. supply forecasts lingering in the back of traders' minds. Outside markets Thursday were mostly negative influence on agricultural interests with a firmer U.S. dollar and weaker energy markets. Equity markets continued to press higher into new records for both the S&amp;P and Dow, following the expected quarter point rate cut from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.

The back-and-forth nature of the live cattle market trade continues. Wednesday afternoon the market closed lower, but throughout Thursday's trade the market was slightly stronger. It is interesting to note gains in the nearby contracts are moderate, but the furthest deferred contracts are all trading more than $1.50 higher. A single bid of $239 live is currently being offered in Kansas, but otherwise the cash market is silent for the meantime. Asking prices are firm in the South at $240-plus, but are still not established in the North. Packer interest should improve at any moment now.

And almost like clockwork, upon seeing the live cattle contracts trading stronger, the feeder cattle contracts also traded higher into Thursday's closing bell. It's likely that so long as the live cattle contracts continue to trade higher and close higher, the feeder cattle complex will be able to maintain its stronger position as well.

The lean hog complex&nbsp;traded modestly higher into Thursday's close, as traders continue to chop the contracts sideways but are pleased to see both cash prices and midday pork values slightly higher. Traders still seem unwilling to really push the market outside of its current trading range, but the slight uptick in fundamental support is helpful nonetheless.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/09/18142748/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court earlier this month for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy involving 19 defendants and over $1.8 million worth of methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the United State's Attorney.

Dontrell A. Powell, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 32 and a half years in federal prison without parole for one count each of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Powell pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2025.

According to court documents, an investigation into the drug-trafficking organization began on Jan. 17, 2024, when a Trooper with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol searched a vehicle on a car hauler at a truck stop in Oklahoma City, Ok. The Trooper found approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of fentanyl pills hidden in a subwoofer speaker box in the cargo area of a Dodge Magnum. The approximate street value of the drugs was $1,850,000.

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration removed the fentanyl pills from the Dodge Magnum and replaced most of the methamphetamine with sham methamphetamine before conducting a controlled delivery of the vehicle the next morning.

On Jan. 18, 2024, Dontrell Powell and his brother, Dreshawn Powell, 28, also of Springfield, Mo., arrived at the parking lot in a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLE, which was registered to Dontrell. Dontrell Powell signed for the Dodge Magnum, which had been shipped from California to Missouri under a false name, and drove it out of the parking lot. Agents followed the Powell brothers and two codefendants to Dontrell Powell’s residence, where they were all arrested.

When agents searched Dontrell Powell’s residence they found an Anderson Manufacturing multi-caliber, semi-automatic pistol, two Glock carrying cases, three high-capacity Glock magazines, including a drum-style magazine loaded with 40 rounds of ammunition, several types of ammunition, and approximately $140,000. Agents also located four more large subwoofer boxes at the residence and a loaded Glock, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol in the glove box of Dontrell Powell’s Mercedes.

Dontrell Powell is the second defendant to be sentenced in this case. His brother, Dreshawn Powell, was sentenced on July 21, 2025, to 190 months in federal prison without parole for one count of aiding and abetting the attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Mo. man going to. prison for $1.8 million fentanyl, meth conspiracy

HARVEY COUNTY – On September 19, 2025, Trevon Cole, 20, of Salina,&nbsp; entered a guilty plea in Harvey County District Court to one count of Rape, according to the Harvey County District Attorney's office.

At the time of the offense, Cole was a student at Bethel College and the crime occurred in the dorms located on the Bethel College campus.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place before Chief Judge Marilyn Wilder on December 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Cole remains out of custody on bond pending sentencing. 

He faces a potential prison sentence of 147 to 653 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime post-release supervision. He will also be subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

The successful prosecution of this case was made possible with the dedicated assistance of the North Newton Police Department. 

Former student admits to sex crime in Kan. college dorm

&nbsp;President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;criticized the United Nations during a speech before the general assembly on Tuesday in New York.

🎥Trump issues warning to Europe in UN General Assembly speech

JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of an apartment fire in in Overland Park.

Early Tuesday, crews quickly extinguished a fire in a first floor apartment at the Aspen Lodge Apartments at 81st Terrace and Switzer in Overland Park, according to a social media report from Overland Park Fire.

No injuries are reported. 6 adults &amp; 2 dogs from 4 units are being assisted by the Red Cross. Lenexa Fire, Overland Park Police and Johnson County Med-Act assisted.

6 adults, 2 dogs displaced after Kansas apartment fire

Centene subsidiary Ambetter from Home State Health failed to meet Affordable Care Act requirements for medical care spending. The refunds to Missourians will be more than all insurers paid out nationally rebates in 2023

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’s biggest individual insurer must rebate almost $90 million to policyholders because it spent too little on care and too much on administration.

Ambetter from Home State Health, a subsidiary of<a href="https://www.centene.com/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Clayton-based Centene Corporation</a>, is mailing checks totaling $87.5 million to customers in Missouri because it violated the<a href="https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/private-health-insurance/medical-loss-ratio" target="_blank">&nbsp;Medical Loss Ratio</a>&nbsp;requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Letters dated Sept. 10 notifying policyholders of the rebates — equal to more than one month’s premium for each — began arriving in mailboxes over the weekend.&nbsp;

One of Ambetter’s competitors, United Healthcare, is also making rebates to Missouri customers. In a Sept. 5 news release,<a href="https://www.uhc.com/agents-brokers/employer-sponsored-plans/news-strategies/uhc-will-begin-mailing-mlr-premium-rebate-checks-impacted-groups-september" target="_blank">&nbsp;United Healthcare</a>&nbsp;stated that it will rebate $192.2 million nationally for group market plans offered in 31 states and $167.1 million for individual insurance market plans offered in 19 states.&nbsp;

Missourians in both United Healthcare markets will be eligible for rebates but the material supplied by the company did not show the amounts.

The rebates from Ambetter are among the largest for individual insurance companies operating in the Missouri marketplace since the Affordable Care Act began requiring them in 2012. Over 12 years, insurers have rebated $587.1 million to Missouri policyholders, with the most being $192.7 million in 2019.

“This is a standard and required process under the Affordable Care Act that ensures health plans return a portion of premiums to members if spending on medical care falls below federal thresholds,” a prepared statement from Centene stated.

Every year insurers must report their revenue from premiums and spending on health care and activities intended to improve care, such as smoking cessation or other programs. That is compared to the amount spent on administration.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services evaluates the reports and determines the rebate amounts. The data is examined on a three-year rolling basis and Ambetter’s rebates are for the years 2022-2024.

During 2023, CMS directed companies to<a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2023-rebates-state.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;rebate $957 million nationally</a>. A report summarizing rebates for 2024 is not yet available.

Each insurer must spend 80% of total premiums — and 85% of money from premium increases — on health care.

During that period, of premiums paid for individual policies, Ambetter told policyholders in the letter that it spent only 71.4% of the approximately $1 billion received in premiums in 2024. Ambetter must refund the 8.6% difference.

Ambetter is the largest individual insurance provider in the state, according to<a href="https://www.kff.org/private-insurance/state-indicator/market-share-and-enrollment-of-largest-three-insurers-individual-market/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">&nbsp;data from KFF</a>, a health policy news and analysis organization. Ambetter covers about 46% of the 270,275 people buying individual plans. Elevance, formerly Anthem, is the second largest, with 28% of the market, followed by United Healthcare, with about 7%.

Along with the rebate checks, customers buying plans from Ambetter will likely see some of the smallest premium increases in the state in the coming year. According to an Aug. 1 news release from the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, Ambetter is seeking an<a href="https://insurance.mo.gov/sites/insurance/files/2025-08/Proposed%20Rates%20for%202026%20Plans.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;average premium increase</a>&nbsp;of 1.9% starting Jan. 1.

Seven of the eight other companies offering plans in all or part of the state are proposing increases averaging from 4.6% to 29.2%. One, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, has said it will cut rates by an average of 4.2%.

“Missourians should expect to see premium increases for many of the individual market plans as well as changes to coverage areas and networks,” the department said in the news release.

The final premium rates for all companies will be announced by Oct. 31.

Federal rules force customer rebates for Missouri’s biggest health insurer 

PAWNEE COUNTY– Shane Paul Wagoner, 37, appeared in the custody of Larned State Hospital September 18, in the Pawnee County District Court before District Judge Bruce Gatterman to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

Wagoner is charged with a single count of Aggravated Escape from Custody, a severity level 8 non-person felony, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.&nbsp; He has been listed as a Kansas Sex Offender since 2014 and a Sexually Violent Predator since 2023, according to the KBI Offender Registry.

After hearing the testimony of the court-assigned forensic evaluator and arguments of counsel, Judge Gatterman found Wagoner not competent to stand trial. Based on this finding, the Court then entered an order directing Wagoner to be committed to the State Security Hospital for up to ninety days for an evaluation to determine if there is a substantial probability of the defendant attaining competency to stand trial in the foreseeable future.

Under Kansas law, a person is “incompetent to stand trial” when such person is charged with a crime and, because of mental illness or defect is unable: (1) To understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against such person; or (2) to make or assist in making such person's defense.

The charge stems from an incident on the night of February 8, 2025, at the Jung North building on the campus of Larned State Hospital (LSH) where at the time the defendant was civilly committed to the Sexual Predator Treatment Program (SPTP). 

Review of security footage determined Wagoner exited the building through the security checkpoint without being properly identified but then voluntarily returned to the building less than two minutes later asking for assistance to call a taxi. Upon reentering the building, LSH staff identified him as a patient and redirected the defendant to his housing unit without incident. The matter was investigated by the LSH special investigator with assistance from LSH Safety and Security staff. No outside law enforcement assistance was required.

Pending the court ordered evaluation, the defendant will remain subject to his civil commitment to the Sexual Predator Treatment program located on the campus of Larned State Hospital.&nbsp; Wagoner has previous convictions for aggravated sexual battery, burglary, aggravated burglary and aggravated escape from custody, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. sex offender faced a judge after escape from custody

President Donald Trump returned to the United Nations to deliver a speech on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

As the President and the first lady arrived, they encountered challenges. First, the building's escalator stopped working just they stepped on it. They were forced to climb the steps.&nbsp; 

A few moments later, the teleprompter President Trump was going to use for his speech was not working. The President gave his speech without it, "that way you speak more from the heart," he said.&nbsp; &nbsp;And he also said, "whoever is running the teleprompter is in big trouble.” The teleprompter did finally begin to work.&nbsp;"I ended seven wars and never even received a phone all from the UN. These are the two things I got from the UN, a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter." Trump said.

President Trump handles technical problems with humor at UN

NEW YORK –&nbsp;The U.S. Secret Service dismantled a network of electronic devices located throughout the New York tristate area that were used to conduct multiple telecommunications-related threats directed towards senior U.S. government officials, which represented an imminent threat to the agency’s protective operations, according to a media release from the agency.

This protective intelligence investigation led to the discovery of more than 300 co-located SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards across multiple sites.

In addition to carrying out anonymous telephonic threats, these devices could be used to conduct a wide range of telecommunications attacks. This includes disabling cell phone towers, enabling denial of services attacks and facilitating anonymous, encrypted communication between potential threat actors and criminal enterprises.

While forensic examination of these devices is ongoing, early analysis indicates cellular communications between nation-state threat actors and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement.

“The potential for disruption to our country’s telecommunications posed by this network of devices cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran. “The U.S. Secret Service’s protective mission is all about prevention, and this investigation makes it clear to potential bad actors that imminent threats to our protectees will be immediately investigated, tracked down and dismantled.”

These devices were concentrated within 35 miles of the global meeting of the United Nations General Assembly now underway in New York City. Given the timing, location and potential for significant disruption to New York telecommunications posed by these devices, the agency moved quickly to disrupt this network. The U.S. Secret Service’s Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit, a new section of the agency dedicated to disrupting the most significant and imminent threats to our protectees, is conducting this investigation. This investigation is currently ongoing.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Justice, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the NYPD, as well as other state and local law enforcement partners, provided valuable technical advice and assistance in support of this investigation.

Secret Service finds network of devices capable of crashing phone network

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

TOPEKA — The federal government’s plan to withhold $10 million from a Kansas food assistance program won’t affect recipients and will be delayed while the state files an appeal, the Kansas governor’s chief of staff said Monday.

The governor’s office provided clarity on the issue after Attorney General Kris Kobach declared the state had lost millions in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because “Gov. Laura Kelly refused to provide basic information about SNAP recipients to the USDA.”

Kelly’s administration has refused federal demands for SNAP data because it isn’t clear how Kansans’ personal information will be used.

“The governor seems to be blinded by her political ideology. She is flagrantly violating Kansas law, and she is hurting needy Kansans in the process,” Kobach said in a news release.&nbsp;

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/08/kansas-lawsuit-seeks-to-force-gov-laura-kelly-to-divulge-details-about-snap-recipients/">Kobach sued Kelly</a>&nbsp;and Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard on Sept. 8 for failing to turn over personal data of SNAP applicants and recipients, as they were repeatedly asked to do by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Patrick Penn, a former Kansas legislator who now is U.S. undersecretary for the Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services program at USDA, in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showdocument?id=24632&amp;t=638929448810904955" target="_blank">Aug. 20 letter to Kelly</a>&nbsp;threatened to withhold $10.4 million every three months until his agency receives the data.

Penn said the data is needed to look for fraud within the program,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/08/26/kansas-official-defends-refusal-to-turn-over-private-food-program-data-in-face-of-political-attacks/">which Howard has previously said</a>&nbsp;is a function already completed through a fraud detection program in place as part of the state’s contract with FNS.

“In the absence of data, FNS lacks key information necessary to ensure effective stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Penn’s letter said. “FNS has already discovered from states that are complying with this statutory data sharing requirement that fraud or duplication in state distribution of federal funds has gone unreported and needs remediation.”

Kelly’s chief of staff, Will Lawrence, said the state will file an appeal of the decision to withhold funding.

“The attorney general continues to have a complicated relationship with the facts and the truth in an effort to score political points by misleading thousands of Kansans,” Lawrence said of Kobach’s press release.&nbsp;

“We will, of course, appeal the decision and continue to protect the security of Kansans’ private data,” Lawrence said. “The filing of an appeal will automatically stay the disallowance of funds, meaning the SNAP program will continue to operate normally as the appeals process unfolds.”

Howard has said previously that DCF and the state are awaiting the ruling of a lawsuit brought by California and joined by other states asking the courts to stay the USDA’s request for SNAP data. A temporary injunction to stop the release of data to the USDA is in effect, according to a filing in that case.

Kobach’s office has not responded to Kansas Reflector questions about whether he believes that injunction applies to Kansas.

“We warned that this would happen when we filed the lawsuit on behalf of all Kansans against the governor. She is required by Kansas law to provide this basic information to the USDA,” Kobach said in the press release. “Now low-income Kansas families won’t be able to put food on the table because of her political defiance.”

If the funding were lost, it would affect the Kansas budget because it pays for administrative costs associated with SNAP. The funds are not part of the aid that is paid to SNAP recipients.&nbsp;

U.S. Reps. Ron Estes and Tracey Mann&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ag.ks.gov/home/showdocument?id=24634&amp;t=638929449101644374" target="_blank">sent a letter</a>, which Kobach included in his press release, to Kelly on Sept. 3 demanding the data be released so the state can correct its SNAP error rate.

Earlier this month, Howard explained the SNAP error rate is determined by the fraud detection process already in place.

Kansas governor’s office disputes accuracy of Kobach’s claims about SNAP funding

FRANKLIN COUNTY —A Kansas man is in custody after allegedly firing shots at deputies near his rural home.

Just before 7:30p.m. Sunday, the Franklin County Emergency Communications Center received a port alleging 54-year-old Lester Caleb of rural Ottawa was firing a gun on his property in The 1200 Block of K68-Highway, according to a media release from the Franklin County Sheriff.

A neighbor called to check on him and Caleb verbally threatened the caller.&nbsp; Law enforcement was contacted due to Caleb's behavior. As the first responding deputy arrived, he was shot at twice from the area of Caleb's property. Caleb was then observed walking across the driveway toward's his residence and the deputy lost sight of him. The deputy was not struck by the gunfire and not injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At this point, officers from the Ottawa Police Special Tactics and Rescue Team, The Miami County Sheriff's Special Response Team and The Kansas Highway Patrol responded to the area. A KHP helicopter was also used to monitor the area along with drones from local agencies.Neighbors in close. proximity were evacuated.&nbsp; Law enforcement conducted a search and could not find Caleb and asked the public for help to locate him.

During the day on Monday, law enforcement finally reached Caleb by phone and began a conversation. After an hour of discussion, Caleb surrendered to Franklin County Deputies.&nbsp; He was booked into jail just afater 4:30p.m.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release possible charges.

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of firing gun at deputies is in custody

 Bobby Witt Jr. and Adam Frazier each drove in two runs, Salvador Perez moved into second place on Kansas City's career RBI list and the Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4 on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, shortly after being eliminated from postseason contention.

The Royals were knocked out of the race for an AL wild card with five games remaining in their regular season. Kansas City, which reached the playoffs last season, has failed to qualify for the postseason in nine of the last 10 seasons.

Perez singled to center in the first inning to score Witt. It was the 35-year-old catcher's 97th RBI of the season and 1,013th of his career, moving him past Hal McRae. The Royals' all-time RBI leader is George Brett with 1,596.

Local

Region

Sports

Agriculture