New state laws
cracking down on stunt driving could help the St. Joseph Police Department.

Police Chief Paul
Luster says the legislature’s move to strengthen the careless and imprudent
driving statutes to include stunt driving and street takeovers gives more teeth
to the law.

“The legislature’s
taken it very seriously, which is good,” Luster tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp; “We’ve had some issues here in St. Joe pop up
and we really try to stay ahead of those, because of the danger that those
activities create to just the general public.”

The Missouri
legislature approved the enhancements during this year’s legislative session.
It applies to the whole state, but the major metropolitan areas have
experienced an increase in stunt driving and street racing.

“Kansas City and
St. Louis, I think even Springfield, has had a lot of trouble with it where
they’ll take over a whole street; emergency responders can’t get through,
firetrucks, ambulances, police can’t get through. And then, I know, Kansas
City’s even had some problems with some violence at those events. Someone gets
mad and a gun comes out and there’s a lot of people around and so, it’s
behavior you definitely don’t want,” according to Luster. “So, I think it was really
actually a good piece of legislation.”

Luster says the
biggest problem in St. Joseph normally consists of motorcyclists attempting
stunts up and down the Belt Highway. He says one group planned some stunt
riding in the former K-Mart parking lot near the intersection of Belt Highway
and Gene Field Road.

“Big parking lot.
Business isn’t there. They thought that might be a good parking lot to really
do some stunt driving in,” Luster says. “We just kind of met them at the
beginning of it and said we’re not going to have that. We got ahold of the
property owner. He didn’t want it, obviously, on his property. And so, we were
able to end it before it starts.”

Luster says there
is a place for street racing, it’s just not on city streets.

“There are
legitimate motor sports events that are sanctioned at venues that are properly
set up for those and that’s where stuff like that needs to occur not out on the
public roadways.”

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

New state law helps St. Joe police crack down on stunt driving

CLINTON COUNTY —Two peopole were injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 GMC Sierra driven by a 33-year-old DeKalb, Illinois man was northbound on Interstate 35 four miles south of Cameron. The driver changed lanes to avoid workers on the shoulder. The rear of the pickup struck the front of a northbound 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by a 59-year-old Cameron woman.&nbsp;

Cameron ambulance transported the van driver and a 20-year-old passenger to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; The pickup driver was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 Missouri women injured and pickup, van accident

AFL-CIO Community
Services in St. Joseph reports St. Joseph’s two major grocery stores are
stepping up during the lingering federal government shutdown that threatens
supplemental food programs.

Cosentino’s Price Chopper
is provided free hot meals to children under 12 from 4pm to 7pm through
November 7th. The meals will be served from the deli hot bar.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tuesday, Nov. 4: Beef Noodles &amp;
Roll

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wednesday, Nov. 5: Chicken Pot Pie w/
Biscuit

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thursday, Nov. 6: BBQ Pulled Pork w/
Mac n Cheese

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Friday, Nov. 7: Pasta and Meatball w/
Breadstick

"Healthy
communities are built on healthy families, and that’s the foundation for
everything we do. From our family to yours, we’re honored to serve you during
this time," Cosentino’s Price Chopper said in a written statement.

Cosentino's Price
Chopper is located at 2219 N Belt Hwy in St. Joseph.

Hy-Vee is also
offering free hot meals to children 12 and under through the 7th,
also from 4pm to 7pm. The same meal will be made available to everyone else for
$3.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tuesday, Nov. 4: Spaghetti with Meat
Sauce, Salad and Garlic Bread

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wednesday, Nov. 5: Chicken and
Noodles with Mashed Potatoes

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thursday, Nov. 6: Chili and a
Cinnamon Roll

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Friday, Nov. 7: Sesame or Orange
Chicken Rice Bowl (In locations without HyChi, the meal with be Two Chicken
Tenders, Mashed Potatoes and Corn)

During the coming
weeks, Hy-Vee will also be sharing on its social media channels recipes that
families can make for $3 or less a serving. These meals will include products
featured in Hy-Vee’s weekly ads. Hy-Vee is located at 201 N. Belt Highway in St. Joseph.

St. Joseph grocery stores providing free kids meals during shutdown

The Missouri Western State University Center for Workforce Development is holding a series of seminars for people to learn more about professional etiquette. 

Director of Workforce Development Rebecca Lobina says professional etiquette helps to build trust, reputation and advancement opportunities in the workplace 

"Some of the questions that come up is like well how does it do that?  How do you build trust through if I wore a suit to work today?” Lobina says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “So really just a lot of it goes back to understanding what professional etiquette really is and what it means, and it means that you are showing respect for your company, for your colleagues, and for the culture that is actually there within the workplace.” 

Registration is closed for these seminars.  However, the center for workforce development does have several other seminars coming up this month.  

Lobina says these seminars aren't just for those in high powered jobs, it's for everyone 

"This is to show respect and to show proper communication in a professional setting,” Lobina explains. 

Lobina says when you have this etiquette it helps to build trust and credibility in the workplace 

"So think about it like this as an example, if you have a manager who listens to you and responds thoughtfully, that helps to earn your loyalty,” Lobina says.  “Because you see that they’re listening, they’re interested in what you’re saying, and then they’re not immediately poo pooing your idea and immediately saying I don’t have time for this, that means something to you as an employee.” 

The three-part series began yesterday morning, and will have two more sessions this week, touching on dining etiquette and meeting etiquette as well as dressing for success.   

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

MoWest Workforce Development helping teach professional etiquette

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Monday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Hyundai Sonata driven by a 43-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was northbound on MO 85 two miles south of Albany. The driver swerved to miss a deer. The car traveled off the east side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The car returned to the road, traveled off the west side of the road and struck a tree.

Grand River ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic in Albany. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases the names of accident victims.

Mo. driver swerved to miss a deer and car struck a tree

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan.— One person was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Benelli 302S driven by&nbsp; Lucas&nbsp;Coady, 17, Atchison, was northbound on Sherman Road four miles south of Atchison. The motorcycle veered off the roadway at a curve, traveled into the ditch and rolled to its side.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EMS transported Coady to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.&nbsp; He was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kan. teen hospitalized in St. Joe after motorcycle accident

MoDOT will close the BNSF railroad crossing on the Stockyards Expressway for repair, starting tomorrow from 7 AM to 5 PM.

The crossing is located just north of American Walnut. BNSF will have detours posted during the repair work to direct drivers.

Stockyards Expressway Closure Tomorrow

Northern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves says the national Rails to Trails movement has broken
the promise made to landowners when the railroads first purchased the rights of
way to lay track.

Graves sponsors
legislation that would require property owners be compensated when adjoining
railroad rights of way are turned into trails. Graves says too few trails have
properly compensated the landowner and too many have failed to property
maintain the land.

“If they do put in
a trail and they do compensate landowners, then I believe that they also ought
to maintain that property and we have seen that become a very big problem, if
the property is not being properly maintained,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “And so, what this does is ensure that it is if it does become a trail.”

Graves sponsors
the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act. Rails to Trails allows the federal
government to hand over former railroad corridors to be converted into trails.

Graves says the
federal law runs roughshod over the original agreements between railroads and
landowners, which promised the land would revert back to the property owner if
the railway is abandoned.

“I think if the
land does not revert back to the landowner or the family, whatever the case may
be, then they should be compensated for it,” Graves says. “That’s the bottom
line.”

Another provision
in Graves’ legislation would require trails to be maintained as they had been
by the railroads. Graves says he has heard complaints from landowners about
weeds and trash along the trails.

Graves says it
doesn’t matter if the legislation would hamper the Rails to Trails movement.

“There’s nothing
that is more frustrating than having a farm that a railroad went through and
you basically cut it in half and then have the railroad go out and you can’t
get that land back when your agreement stated that it was to revert back to you,”
according to Graves. “That is a very frustrating component of this and I hope
it hampers it.”

Graves wants landowners protected in Rails to Trails movement

Missouri Gov. Mike
Kehoe has appointed Dr. Rolfe McCoy, a dentist from Chillicothe, to the
Missouri Dental Board.

McCoy is a partner
at McCoy Samples Mattingly Dental Clinic. McCoy also serves as the chairman and
a trainer of the Missouri Dental Association's Expanded Function Dental
Assistant program and teaches for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services (DHSS) Office of Dental Health pilot program in long-term care facilities.

McCoy serves on
the Chillicothe Arts Council, the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, the
Chillicothe Board of Public Works, and is a member of the Chillicothe Rotary
Club.

McCoy earned his
Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree
from Washington University in St. Louis.

Gov. Kehoe appoints Chillicothe dentist to Missouri Dental Board

December corn closed down 2 3/4 cents and March corn was down 2 cents. January soybeans closed down 12 3/4 cents and March soybeans were down 12 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed up 4 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 6 3/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was down 1 1/4 cents.

It was an all-around risk-off session for row crops Tuesday with the exception of wheat futures, which continued to ride Monday's wave of trade optimism. Soybean futures led the way lower in the first significant corrective price action in what has been an almost vertical move higher between soybeans and soybean meal since the middle of October. It is likely traders and possibly producers looked to reward the rally following Monday's surge higher. Traders may also be feeling some nervousness ahead of the next USDA update in the middle of the month, which may still find large U.S. crops with harvest coming to an end. Outside markets were also mostly negative influence on ag markets Tuesday, with the U.S. Dollar Index firmer for a fifth straight session and directly below 3-month highs. Energy markets were mixed but stalled against topside resistance, while equities were lower, continuing the recent pullback from last week's record levels.

The live cattle complex was back to trading lower, despite Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins saying the U.S. is not ready for the border to reopen just yet; she's also mentioned in other interviews that President Trump is "very focused" on reopening the border. Although the industry knew that at some point the border was going to be reopened, the cat and mouse game of trying to pinpoint when that is going to happen has a negative impact on the market, as one can see in today's trade action. Unfortunately, this headline has once again pulled the spot December live cattle contract back below the market's 100-day moving average. Still no developments have surfaced in the fed cash cattle market, and no bids or asking prices have surfaced quite yet.

The feeder cattle complex took the morning's rumors with the biggest hit as the market has successfully seen prices never reached before, largely because of limited supplies and excellent demand. Cattle producers and traders alike both know that allowing for Mexican cattle imports won't completely end the market's rally and historical prices, but the degree to which it will affect prices is unknown, and that's what scares the market.

The lean hog complex was again sinking lower, as traders are sickened to see demand simply not performing. If the market trades much lower, it commits to trading below the support place at $80.00 in the December contract. The next level of technical support can be found at around $70.00.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/11/04141200/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The National Corn Growers Association called on the Environmental Protection Agency to reallocate 100 percent of its waivers for small refineries through a supplemental rule-making process. “A strong, transparent, and balanced Renewable Fuel Standard remains a cornerstone of America’s agricultural and energy success,” said NCGA CEO Neil Caskey. The statement was included in stakeholder comments submitted to EPA at the agency’s request. 

Under the RFS, the EPA sets the renewable volume obligations each year, specifying the amount of renewable fuel that refiners and importers of petroleum products must blend into the nation’s fuel supply. The EPA has the authority to issue Small Refinery Exemptions to refiners that can demonstrate “disproportionate economic harm” from compliance. NCGA has long argued that a dependable Renewable Fuel Standard is critical to unlocking America’s domestic energy potential, promoting ethanol growth, and driving corn demand. For years, the NCGA has also discouraged the overuse of RFS exemptions. 

NCGA calls for a Full SRE reallocation

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will release several key agriculture reports in November, including a monthly crop supply and demand report that wasn’t issued last month because of the government shutdown. According to a post on its website, NASS will release the crop production and world ag supply and demand estimates on November 14.  The report had been scheduled for November 10 and will provide the government’s first estimate of U.S. corn and soybean production since September, when most of the Midwestern harvest hadn’t begun. 

Multiple social media posts by U.S. farmers have said that the USDA’s yield forecast was much too high. The USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report will be released as scheduled on November 21, after the October report didn’t take place. Allan Featherstone of Kansas State University said that the markets rely on those reports to figure out what’s really taking place.

NASS reports returning this month

The next student leaders of National FFA were elected to help guide this premier youth leadership organization during the coming year. The new team was announced on Saturday during the final session of the 98th annual National FFA Convention &amp; Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana. Members from Delaware, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee were elected by the National FFA Delegates and will lead the organization over the next year. 

Trey Myers of Oklahoma was elected national president, and Lily Nyland of Michigan was elected national secretary. The members were selected from 37 candidates vying for the honor. Candidates participated in an extensive interview process with the National FFA Officer Nominating Committee before the selection. The new officers will interact with business and industry leaders, FFA members, instructors, and many other people to help guide the future of FFA. A complete list of the new officers is available at <a href="https://www.ffa.org/">ffa.org.</a>

National FFA elects new officer team

December corn closed up 2 3/4 cents and March corn was up 2 3/4 cents. January soybeans closed up 19 cents and March soybeans were up 16 1/2 cents. December KC wheat closed up 7 1/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 9 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 5 1/2 cents.

Corn and wheat markets were slow to start Monday but eventually found some strength to bounce off daily lows, even with technical pressure limiting daily gains. Meanwhile, soybean futures moved double-digits higher yet again to start the new week and month, aided Monday by a reversal in soybean oil futures after four straight sessions lower to close October. Outside markets were mostly quiet with energy markets higher following the weekend announcement from OPEC+ that production increases are expected to slow into 2026. The U.S. dollar firmed for a fourth consecutive day and is nearing key resistance.

The live cattle complex was back to trading higher early this week following Friday's slightly weaker close. More than anything, traders are reappraising the marketplace, hoping that more fundamental support will arise and that traders will be able to push prices above and beyond the market's 100-day moving average, which is a threshold traders aren't confident that the market can successfully move past right now even though prices are trading higher. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Nebraska/Colorado and Kansas, but lower in Texas. Last week, Southern live cattle traded at $235 to $235.50, which is $2.50 to $4.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average. Northern dressed cattle traded at mostly $358 to $360, which is $9.00 to $11.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average.

The feeder cattle complex led the cattle market's surge this morning as prices were trading mostly $5.00 higher into Monday's close. Following the slew of events that transpired over the last two to three weeks, which negatively impacted the market -- feeder cattle sales in the countryside have been noticeably lower, with prices often trading $20.00 to $50.00 lower compared to two or three weeks ago. Hopefully if the board begins to trade higher, feeder cattle sales will find more buyer support too.

Without anything substantial developing yet in the lean hog market's fundamentals, it's not surprising to see the contracts again trading lower. Before traders will likely support the contracts and help prices turn higher, they're going to need to see consumer demand improve.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/11/03140615/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The American Farm Bureau Federation  and the American Soybean Association both welcomed news of China’s renewed commitment to import U.S. agricultural products. AFBF President Zippy Duvall said the organization was encouraged by China’s plans to buy more soybeans and sorghum, noting that trade disputes have already burdened farmers facing high costs and low prices. 

ASA President Daryl Cates called the announcement a positive step for soybean growers who have endured years of global uncertainty. He emphasized that China remains one of the most vital export markets for U.S. soybeans, but long-term progress depends on predictable and transparent trade policies. Both organizations stressed that while the agreement signals improvement, consistent purchases and reliable market access are essential for restoring confidence and stability in U.S.–China agricultural trade.

Ag organizations respond to U.S.–China agreement

Traces of long-banned pesticides persist in U.S. groundwater, a new U.S. Geological Survey study shows, even as concentrations of most chemicals generally declined. An analysis of 59 groundwater networks from 1993 to 2023 found only one pesticide — the insecticide DBCP, outlawed since 1977 — exceeded health benchmarks in a Central Valley site in California. The New Lede reports levels of the remaining 58 old-school chemicals dropped across the networks. Yet persistent traces remain, particularly in farm regions such as the Midwest, underscoring long-term contamination. 

The study coincides with proposed U.S. Geological Survey budget cuts under the Trump administration. The administration has characterized environmental monitoring as politically driven, while the Office of Management and Budget seeks to slash USGS funding by 38%. Critics warn reduced funding could cripple the nation’s ability to track water quality and pesticide risks nationwide. 

Traces of old farm chemicals contaminate water across the U.S.

December corn closed up 1 1/4 cents and March corn was up 1/4 cents. January soybeans closed up 7 1/2 cents and March soybeans were up 8 cents. December KC wheat closed up 11 1/2 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 9 3/4 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 2 1/2 cents.

December corn closed up 8 1/4 cents and March corn was up 7 cents. January soybeans closed up 55 cents and March soybeans were up 50 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 23 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 21 1/2 cents and December Minneapolis wheat was down 4 cents.

Corn, soy, and wheat markets bounced around Friday, trading on both sides of even in what was for the most part a chance for traders to catch their breath following a volatile week leading up to Wednesday evening's meeting between President Trump and President Xi of China. It wasn't surprising on a holiday Friday to see volume way down and a somewhat aimless trade as a result; but eventually prices did catch and hold some steam into the close for a strong finish to the week. It was none other than the soybean meal market that led the turn higher with conviction, offering some late-session strength to the soybean complex, despite earlier lower soy oil futures as traders continue to push the long meal, short oil spread to the lowest spread per pound since mid-June. Meanwhile, outside markets were fairly quiet as well, with the U.S. dollar notably reaching 3-month highs, which may serve as a headwind to export sensitive ag futures if the currency can break above resistance near 100 on the index.

The live cattle complex was traded lower into Friday's closing bell as the market has exhausted the mild support it found midweek. With no positive notes developing from the fed cash cattle market, or sharply higher boxed beef prices, traders are remaining cautious players in the cattle complex as there's been so much volatility over the last two weeks. No more trade has developed in the fed cash cattle market, but traders will need to secure more supply this afternoon to avoid being short bought heading into next week. Northern dressed cattle have traded at mostly $358 to $360, which is $9.00 to $11.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average, and although only a handful of cattle have traded in the South, Southern live cattle have been marked at mostly $235, which is $3.00 to $4.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average.

Following right in line with the live cattle market's trend Friday morning, feeder cattle contracts traded mostly lower into the close. Although feeder cattle aren't trading as sharply lower in the countryside as they were late last week and even earlier this week, the market continues to see cattle trading cheaper as a tremendous amount of confidence has been stripped from the marketplace. Although buyers know that supplies are thin, they were keenly reminded the last two weeks that regardless of whatever the market's fundamentals are volatility will always be a big player in the cattle complex.

After having trailed lower throughout most of the week, the lean hog complex has finally stumbled into some mild technical support as the contracts traded mixed into Friday's close. Yes, pork cutout values were up a tick Friday morning, which traders could be mindful of; but more than anything ahead of today's close traders seemed to be acknowledging the sharp decline the market has made this week and are letting the contracts find a little support ahead of the week's end.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/31140031/web-closing-markets-2.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

For the eighth time this year, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below a growth-neutral score of 50.0. That’s according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a ten-state region dependent on agriculture. The October reading was 34.6, its lowest level since May 2020, down from 38.5 in September. “Weak agriculture commodity prices for grain producers continue to dampen economic activity in the region,” said Creighton University’s Ernie Goss. 

While tariffs are producing higher economic volatility, 72 percent of bank CEOs gauge President Trump’s approach to China as “about right.” In other areas, farmland prices sank below growth-neutral for the 17th time in 18 months. Farm loan delinquency rates rose from a very low 1.1 percent in June 2025 to 1.6 percent this month. The farm equipment sales index increased to a weak 18.8 from 15.2 in September, the 26th-straight month below growth neutral.&nbsp;

Rural Mainstreet Index reaches five-year low

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that China has agreed to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans this year. Bloomberg said that’s brought some relief to American farmers pushing for resumption of trade with China, the world’s biggest soybean importer. Bessent told Fox Business that China will also buy a minimum of 25 million tons annually for the following three years. 

President Donald Trump said China will start buying immediately and will be purchasing “tremendous” amounts of soybeans, but he didn’t provide additional details on the size of purchases. “The 12 million tons wasn’t surprising as China has little need for additional soybeans because of ample shipments from South America,” said Brian Grete of Commstock. “In the longer term, buying 25 million tons a year would basically be getting back to normal.” Chinese commercial purchases would require Beijing to roll back the tariffs imposed on U.S. soybeans earlier this year.

China commits to future soybean buys

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

TOPEKA — Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins acknowledged Tuesday that he didn’t gather enough support from his Republican caucus to force a special session on Friday as planned.

Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson have worked for the past two months to get two-thirds of both chambers to sign a petition for a special session, where they could then redraw congressional maps to try to drive Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids out of office. Masterson previously announced he had the necessary signatures from Senate Republicans.

But a handful of House Republicans refused to join the effort, despite overtures from leadership about other topics that could come up during a special session.

On Tuesday, under the headline “countdown to Jan. 12th,” Hawkins issued a news release that said planning a special session is an “uphill battle” because of challenges with multiple agendas, scheduling conflicts and other factors.

“At the end of the day, a supermajority of Republicans still believe there should be oversight of over a billion dollars in assistance for rural health care, know the difference between a man and a woman, and wish to have a conversation about redistricting,” Hawkins said.

Masterson said in a statement Tuesday the Senate would “continue to deliver” for President Donald Trump, who initiated a multistate fight for a political advantage through gerrymandering.

“President Trump asked Republicans to fight for fair maps and for America’s future,” Masterson said. “We did our part — and we’ll keep leading the charge here in Kansas.”

Earlier in the day, Davids indicated she could be interested in a run for U.S. Senate if redistricting occurs. Redistricting efforts could continue when the Legislature convenes in January.

She was pleased to hear the special session&nbsp; would not occur.

“For months, extreme Republican legislators in Topeka have been scheming with D.C. politicians to silence Kansas voices,” Davids said in a statement Tuesday evening. “Today, we’ve won the first round in this fight against gerrymandering, but their plan to cheat the system isn’t over. They’ve made it clear they’ll do anything to hold onto power, but I’ve been just as clear: voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around.”

Politico on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/03/sharice-davids-senate-run-kansas-00633280?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">Monday reported</a>&nbsp;that Davids met with Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, last week to discuss the possibility of a Senate campaign and to “garner advice from a lawmaker who’s transitioned from the lower chamber to the upper one.”

On a press call discussing the ending of Affordable Care Act subsidies Tuesday afternoon, Davids would only reiterate former statements that her decision hinges at least in part on whether Kansas legislators push for redistricting.

“I’ll just say that if they move forward with this, I haven’t taken any options off the table about what I’ll do next,” she said. “I want to continue to do what I can to bring the voices and needs of Kansans to Congress.

“Right now, it is unclear what’s going to happen with the redistricting,” Davids said. “I am focusing on trying to make sure that the Kansas legislature doesn’t move forward on redistricting because it is actually just bad for the state.”

Kansas House speaker waves white flag on special session as congresswoman considers Senate run

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/zachwendling/">Zach Wendling</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A Nebraska-run immigration detention facility in McCook will begin accepting the first federal migrant detainees at the state prison facility “in the next day or two,” Gov. Jim Pillen said Monday.

Pillen, speaking at an unrelated news conference, said the repurposing of Nebraska’s former Work Ethic Camp would include moving in the first federal migrant detainees this week.&nbsp;

Pillen had previously said he estimated the first detainees would come by Oct. 31 but had backed that up last week to early November. He and other state and federal officials have dubbed the revamped facility the “Cornhusker Clink.”

Nebraska has agreed to transition the former all-male state prison, which had offered rehabilitative programming and allowed inmates to work in the neighboring community, under an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/17/nebraska-signed-contract-with-ice-on-sept-30-to-turn-state-prison-into-migrant-detention-center/">initial two-year contract</a>&nbsp;with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The contract was&nbsp;<a href="https://corrections.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/Contract-NDCS-Department-of-Homeland-Security-ICE.pdf" target="_blank">signed Sept. 30</a>.

The facility will remain state-owned and operated.

Under the contract, the Nebraska-ICE facility will eventually house up to 300 detainees. That would be more than the current maximum of about 200. Pillen said he expects the project — which he described as in two “phases” — to fill up to 200 detainees within “two to three weeks.”

Nebraska plans to find more room to support immigration court hearings at the facility and bedding for up to 300 adult male and female detainees, such as by repurposing previous programming space.&nbsp;

Pillen said the state is in the “midst” of getting the cost of that second phase approved, “and that’ll get started in the next couple of weeks.”

“Don’t have an exact timeline to that,” Pillen said Monday of the expansion. “My guess … it would be by the end of the year.”

Pillen’s office has estimated the contract would annually net Nebraska about $14.25 million. The Work Ethic Camp had an annual operating cost of $10.2 million. ICE has also agreed to also pay Nebraska a one-time lump sum of $5.9 million for “facility renovations.”&nbsp;

Reporter Erin Bamer contributed to this report.

Nebraska set to house first ICE detainees at McCook state prison, governor says

🎥President Trump threatens SNAP funding despite court orders

WYANDOTTE COUNTY–Law enforcement investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas City, Kansas&nbsp; have identified the victim as 20-year-old&nbsp;Anna Juarez, according to a statement from police.

Just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday officers with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department were called the area of North 11th Street and Barnett Avenue to investigate a shooting.

When officers arrived on the scene they located Juarez, outside of her home. She had been shot.&nbsp;She was taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.&nbsp;A person of interest is currently in police custody.

Police ID woman killed outside her Kansas home

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a business burglary in Manhattan.

Just after 8a.m. Monday, officers filed a report of burglary in the 100 block of S. Seth Child Road, accoding to the Riley County Police Department acitivity report.

 Mead Lumber reported an unknown suspect broke into the business and took money from the register and various tools from the store. The estimated total loss associated with this case is $2,100. 

Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.

Police: Kan. lumber yard lost $2,100 in burglary

The Monday hearing was to be the first of three this month dealing with the constitutionality of both the new congressional map and whether a petition can force a vote on redistricting

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>

A hearing that was to be the first of at least three this month deciding the fate of Missouri’s newly gerrymandered congressional map was postponed Monday due to a judge’s illness.

Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green was scheduled to hear the lawsuit filed by People Not Politicians over Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/26/effort-to-force-vote-on-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map-hits-roadblock/">rejection of its petitions</a>&nbsp;for a referendum on the map passed in&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">a September special session</a>.

People not Politicians argues that a referendum drive can begin as soon as the General Assembly holds final votes on a bill. Hoskins, the defendant in the case, contends no referendum petition can be approved for circulation until a bill is signed by the governor.

People Not Politicians has 90 days from the end of the legislative session — until Dec. 11 — to turn in at least 106,000 signatures in order to force a vote on the plan. In a news release Monday, the group said it has collected more than 150,000 signatures and has 92,000 names on the petitions rejected by Hoskins.

If People Not Politicians submits the required signatures, it would prevent the new redistricting plan from taking effect until a statewide vote is held. The election would be held in November 2026, unless lawmakers act to set an earlier date.

The referendum poses a real threat to the new map. Of the 27 times a referendum has been placed on the Missouri ballot, voters have rejected actions by the General Assembly all but twice. That includes 1922, when voters&nbsp;<a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_Proposition_17,_Congressional_Redistricting_Referendum_%281922%29" target="_blank">rejected a new congressional map</a>&nbsp;drawn by the legislature.&nbsp;

A referendum was last deployed in Missouri seven years ago, when labor unions collected 300,000 signatures in 90 days to put a question on the statewide ballot repealing a GOP-backed right-to-work law.

Green did not set a new hearing date on Monday. The case is one of five pending in various courts over the mid-decade redistricting plan. One case was decided last week and two are scheduled to go to trial later this month.

Missouri’s new congressional districts are part of President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" target="_blank">push for Republican states</a>&nbsp;to revise maps to increase the 219-213 GOP majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats have countered with gerrymandering plans in states they control, with a vote in California on Tuesday on a plan to deliver up to five seats to Democrats.

In the case decided last week, Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh denied a request from the Missouri NAACP for a ruling that the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/15/judge-hears-arguments-in-case-seeking-to-toss-missouris-new-congressional-maps/">entire September special session</a>&nbsp;was illegal.

In the lawsuit, the NAACP argued Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe had exceeded his constitutional authority to call a special session because no new census data was available and changing the majority requirements for constitutional amendments was not a pressing issue demanding immediate attention.

Limbaugh heard arguments in the case on Sept. 15, three days after the session adjourned. On Friday, he denied without comment the request for a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction.&nbsp;

The NAACP asked Oct. 1 for an expedited decision, noting that Limbaugh’s ruling would not be the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Motion%20for%20Expedited%20Decision.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3686466" target="_blank">final action in the case</a>.

“No matter how this court rules on the constitutional questions presented, the losing party will seek appellate review,” Nimrod Chapel, an attorney and Missouri NAACP president, wrote in the court filing.

In opposition to the request for a fast ruling, the state argued that the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue and that the courts did not have power to intervene.

“The governor has broad discretion to call a special session, and precedent confirms that courts cannot second-guess the manner in which the governor uses that discretion,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Defendants%20Renewed%20Objection%20to%20Motion%20for%20Temporary%20Restraining%20Order,%20Preliminary%20Injunction%20and%20Motion%20to%20Dismiss.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3700261" target="_blank">the brief stated</a>.

The cases set to go to trial this month are a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC06964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">Cole County lawsuit</a>&nbsp;challenging the constitutionality of the map approved by lawmakers and a federal lawsuit filed by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway asking that congressional redistricting plans be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/16/lawsuit-threat-of-criminal-charges-part-of-gop-effort-to-block-vote-on-missouri-map/">declared off-limits for referendums</a>.

In the state case, the focus will be on constitutional language directing lawmakers to draw new lines&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">after every census</a>. Opponents are arguing that because the power for redistricting at other times is not expressly granted, it is forbidden. The state is arguing that because it is not expressly forbidden, it is allowed.

That case is scheduled for a trial Nov. 12 before Limbaugh.

The federal case, scheduled for a trial Nov. 25 in St. Louis, asks for an order blocking the referendum. Hanaway argues that the federal constitution makes legislatures responsible for the district lines, subject only to Congressional oversight.&nbsp;

“Defendants therefore have no legal basis to proceed with their referendum,” the state’s petition states. “This court should declare that such a referendum would violate both the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions.”

In the news release sent in advance of Monday’s postponed hearing, People Not Politicians said the delays and attempts to block the referendum in court will fail. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that laws intended to prevent a referendum drive from starting before a petition is certified are unconstitutional.

“The Supreme Court was unambiguous: the people’s right to petition cannot be undermined by bureaucratic delay or political gamesmanship,” said Richard von Glahn, director of the People Not Politicians campaign. “That same principle applies here. The law is on our side, and so are the people of Missouri.”

Illness delays hearing on referendum to overturn gerrymandered Missouri map

The divisive and powerful 9/11-era vice president was also a devoted husband, avid outdoorsman and close advisor to his daughter, Liz Cheney.

by&nbsp;<a href="https://wyofile.com/author/katie-klingsporn/">Katie Klingsporn</a> <a href="https://wyofile.com/">WyoFile</a>

Dick Cheney, the Wyoming oilman and politician who was widely considered to be the most powerful vice president in America’s history, died on Monday. He was 84.&nbsp;

Cheney, who grew up largely in Casper, served as Wyoming’s sole U.S. representative in Congress from 1979-1989. It was among his many roles in Washington. At age 34, he became the youngest presidential chief of staff in history when President Gerald Ford appointed him to the post. He served as secretary of defense under George H.W. Bush, and years later joined the ticket of George W. Bush to become vice president, serving two terms.

He and his wife of 61 years, Lynne, continued to live part-time in Jackson, and often hosted family there. Later in his life, Cheney became a close political advisor to his eldest daughter, Liz Cheney, who followed in his footsteps with a career in politics —&nbsp;and one that also grew polarizing.

Cheney was famously in D.C. as terrorists attacked America on Sept. 11, 2001, the defining event of his career. With President Bush in Florida that day, Cheney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.archives.gov/files/declassification/iscap/pdf/2012-163-doc-1-release-material.pdf">presided over the chaotic and terrifying early hours of the attack</a>&nbsp;from the Presidential Emergency Operations Center located underneath the White House — authorizing military force against civilian airplanes. He later became the chief architect of the war on terror.&nbsp;

While Cheney had admirers who respected his clear-eyed decisiveness, formidable intelligence and enduring patriotism, he also had detractors. The latter camp decried the surveillance and interrogation tactics implemented under his leadership as blatant civil liberties violations, and portrayed him as a Darth-Vaderesque figure — a sinister, secretive force orchestrating behind the scenes of the Bush administration.&nbsp;

In a nod to that, Cheney once showed up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66FRAcBu9PA">dressed as the “Star Wars” villain for a “Tonight Show” interview with Jay Leno</a>. That, friends say, is an example of his sense of humor and proof that he was far more complicated than he was portrayed to be.

“He was fun and he could be funny, but he was also very serious,” said Judy Legerski of Lander, who has known Cheney since she worked on his first congressional campaign. “He was just a good, solid person. And a real guy.”

Friends remember Cheney as a cool-headed man of steely loyalty and deep consideration for others. He was a devoted husband and father, an avid fisherman and an accomplished outdoorsman. (He did find himself the subject of jokes after accidentally shooting an acquaintance during a 2006 hunting trip.) He wasn’t one for small talk, but if engaged on the right topic, he would expound at length.&nbsp;

“Dick’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever known in my life,” Legerski said. “His abilities of analysis were remarkable. You could ask a question, and he’d answer it like he’d done a research study on the topic two days before.”

Cheney was even-keeled and straightforward, a scholar of American history who loved dogs and was never one for the drama.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“He looked you right in the face if you had something to say,” remembers John McConnell, who was Cheney’s speechwriter in the White House. “He kind of had a way of tilting his head and listening to you, and he just was always great to work with. He was the most considerate and appreciative person I’ve ever worked for.”

He was hard-working and deeply committed to serving the country, said Steve Hadley, who served with Cheney at the Pentagon then in the White House as national security adviser.&nbsp;

“I would hope that [Americans] would recognize him as a man of integrity and talent, who loved the country, who put service to the country as his top priority, and was a terrific vice president in being supportive of the president and doing what the president needed him to do in order to keep this country safe,” Hadley said.

Cheney is survived by his wife, Lynne, daughters Liz and Mary, and several grandchildren.

Richard Bruce Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on Jan. 30, 1941 to a family of New Deal Democrats. His father was quiet, his mother high-spirited and convivial. His family moved to Casper when he was 13 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Service reassigned his father to a new post.

As an adolescent, he played sports, explored the high plains with his brother, Bob, and developed a fishing addiction. Though a voracious reader of history, he was never a great student. In high school, he met and fell in love with Lynne Vincent, a bright and pretty student who was the state champion baton twirler. During their senior year at Natrona County High School, he was class president and she was homecoming queen. (The school’s football field&nbsp;<a href="https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/vicepresident/vpphotoessay/cheneyalumnifield/peindex.html">now bears his name</a>.)

Though a bit aimless, Cheney was advised by Casper oilman Tom Stroock to apply to Yale. Stroock assured Cheney the elite East Coast university was interested in geographic diversity. Cheney was accepted and awarded a full scholarship.&nbsp;

But after arriving in New Haven, Cheney fell in with a group of boys more interested in a good time than good grades, according to his memoir, “In My Time.” After two false starts, Cheney failed out.&nbsp;

He returned to Wyoming to “work in the tools” as a union member on jobs like installing electrical transmission lines. The work, which was physical and could be dangerous, paid well, but Cheney fell deeper into drinking with his work buddies. He was arrested twice for driving under the influence. The second arrest became a crucial fulcrum point in his life.

“Lynne, after spending a semester in Europe, had graduated summa cum laude from Colorado College,” Cheney recalled in his memoir. “And I was sleeping off a hangover in the Rock Springs jail.”

Determined to turn his life around, he stopped frequenting bars and enrolled at the University of Wyoming. In 1964, Lynne accepted his marriage proposal. They were married in August that year, and Cheney turned his focus to a career and fatherhood.

Cheney studied political science at UW, and got his first taste of political machinations as an intern in the Wyoming Legislature. Though he and Lynne had both planned to become college professors, his interests led him instead into politics. His first job came during the Nixon administration in 1969, when then-Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity Donald Rumsfeld hired Cheney as a congressional relations aide. That was the beginning of a decades-long mentorship and working relationship with Rumsfeld.&nbsp;

When Rumsfeld became President Gerald Ford’s chief of staff in 1974, Cheney acted as his deputy. And when Rumsfeld was bumped to secretary of defense in 1975, Cheney was promoted to fill the chief of staff vacancy.&nbsp;

After Ford lost his re-election bid to Jimmy Carter in 1976, Cheney decided to run for office himself. Not long after he moved Lynne and their two daughters back to Casper, he set his sights on the state’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. That’s when Legerski met him.&nbsp;

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