The 25th annual Christmas for Kids Toy drive hosted by JoeTown 107.5's Gregg Lynn begins Saturday 

Lynn says each Christmas children in need from places such as the Noyes Home or the YWCA submit lists of what they want for Christmas, and listeners help purchase those gifts 

"Each kid is allowed three, and a lot of people ask me why don’t you just make it any toy, just make it all generic, well it’s just not the same,” Lynn says on the KFEQmnunnity show.  “If you’re a kid who never has anything for Christmas, you want what you want, and we get them what they want, so all of the organizations and all the caregivers will send me these lists, we’ll post them online, and then the listeners will go and start buying gifts for all these kids.” 

Lists are going up on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreggLynnRadioShow">Gregg Lynn Radio Show Facebook page</a>. You can also donate online by clicking <a href="https://www.joetown1075.com/christmas-coins-for-kids/">HERE</a>, or in various coin jars around town.&nbsp; A list of coin jar locations is also at the link.

Lynn says most of the kids are taken care of by listeners, but the rest is where the donations to help buy the things on the lists that don't get purchased 

"So, they make sure every kid, we’ve had as many as 150, every kid gets what they want, all three of their gifts,” Lynn explains.  “Now the rest of the money is given to support the agencies and support these kids which would be the YWCA, Adopt-A-Family, Noyes Home for Children, a group called Care Portal and their mission is to take care of all the kids in foster care.” 

Lynn says after you pick your list off the Facebook page, it's a pretty simple process after that 

"You go buy the toys, you bring them to me new and unwrapped, and that’s all you have to do and we take care of everything,” Lynn says.  “We get them all wrapped, we get them all sorted, we get them all delivered to the kids at the Christmas party, if that’s like way to much, if that’s a lot of pressure, just go buy some toys, if you’re shopping anyway buy one or two extra toys, bring them here to the station and you can dump them in the barrel.” 

The toy drive will run until Black Friday and ends with an all-day broadcast on that day from 6am to 5pm.  New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Eagle Radio studios at 4104 Country Ln in St. Joseph. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

25th Gregg Lynn's Christmas for Kids Toy Drive kicks off this weekend

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">Steph Quinn</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and state health officials on Wednesday announced continued funding for food assistance amid worry that key federal safety net programs will run dry as the government shutdown enters its fifth week.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said federal nutrition benefits for low-income mothers and their young children will remain available into November, through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC.

Over 98,000 Missourians received WIC benefits in September, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/dashboard/index.php" target="_blank">department</a>.

“At this time, there is no plan to pause WIC operations or benefit redemption,” said Lisa Cox, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in an email to The Independent.&nbsp;

The department said in an earlier&nbsp;<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODHSS/bulletins/3f92ffa" target="_blank">press release</a>&nbsp;that it will notify retailers and WIC recipients if it becomes necessary to suspend benefits “in the latter half of the month.”

Kehoe also&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-announces-expedited-appropriations-food-assistance-democrat" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the transfer of $10.6 million to Missouri Area Agencies on Aging to help provide meals to seniors and the early distribution of a $5 million appropriation to food banks that was planned for later in the year.&nbsp;

While advocates welcomed the measures, they cautioned that they won’t replace a funding plan for the federal government that would place programs like WIC on a firm footing in the longer term.

Wes Buchholz, vice president of programs at Crosslines Resource Center in Springfield, said he was “really excited” to hear that WIC will stay afloat for now, because baby formula is so difficult for food pantries like his to source.

“We have never found a way to buy formula at a good price, and it’s not something that gets donated hardly ever,” Buchholz said.

“Obviously, December is in question.”

Casey Hanson, deputy director at Kids Win Missouri, a nonprofit that advocates for children and families in the state, said the stopgaps will help families, but the shutdown is “continuing to create an environment that is difficult for parents to navigate.”

A much larger federal food assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is expected to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/28/missouri-food-pantries-families-lose-federal-aid/">run out of funds</a>&nbsp;at the end of the week.&nbsp;

In addition to SNAP and WIC, federal funding for Head Start programs, which provide early childhood education, nutritious meals and other support services to families, is also in jeopardy while the shutdown continues.

As the end-of-year holidays approach, Hanson said, “kids are going to be home more, and families are going to need access to all of those resources.”

“Those families are already navigating tough situations in most cases, which is why they need those safety net programs,” Hanson said.

State Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck called Kehoe’s transfer of just over $15 million a “hollow gesture” in a post on X, noting that Missouri disbursed $131.5 million in SNAP benefits in September.&nbsp;

“We need real solutions,” Beck said. “Not Washington-style stunts that don’t fix anything.”

Cox, the spokesperson for the state health department, said the continued availability of WIC is thanks to the program’s funding structure and cost-saving measures taken by the department predating the shutdown.

The department receives an annual sum from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and must adjust its offerings to ensure funding lasts as the number of WIC participants rises or falls each month. In October, for instance, the department cut yogurt, goat milk and evaporated milk, as well as some name brand items, from&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/approved-food-list.php" target="_blank">WIC-eligible purchases</a>&nbsp;in response to rising costs.

Sarah Willson, the department’s director, said the measures “have been valuable in extending the benefits to WIC families longer.”

Buchholz urged Missourians hoping to help ease hunger to volunteer and donate to their local food pantries. Financial donations allow food pantries to purchase needed items at lower prices than are available to consumers, he noted.

“We’re going to need greater community support,” Buchholz said, “if the shutdown continues for a prolonged period of time.”

Missouri aid for moms and babies to continue as other food assistance ends during shutdown

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Ford Expedition driven by a 17-year-old Plattsburg boy was westbound on MO 116 one mile east of Plattsburg. The SUV entered a curve, traveled off the north side of the road, struck a utility box, a road sign, a tree and overturned.

Tri-County ambulance transported the teen to Liberty Hospital. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.&nbsp;

17-year-old Mo. boy injured after violent SUV crash

Volunteers for the
Greater United Way of St. Joseph are busy putting meals together for needy
families which might find themselves without food stamps next week.

The federal
government shutdown threatens the SNAP food assistance program. Assistance
might end, beginning Saturday.

Greater St. Joseph
United Way President, Kylee Strough, says volunteers are compiling 300 meal kits
today to be distributed by member agencies to those in need.

“We really went
into this last week thinking best case scenario this all resolves and agencies
have more food than they need right now, but it’s not going to go bad. And
there’s always food insecurity in our community,” Strough tells KFEQmmunity.&nbsp; “Worst case scenario, this continues longer
than we expected, we’ll do two sessions this week and pack a total of 600 kits
and we’ll continue to consider adding more sessions in the coming weeks to help
meet the need.”

Strough says the
United Way had scheduled a Caring Connection volunteer session for mid-November
and with no end in sight for the federal government shutdown, decided to add
two more this week. Volunteers are meeting at the downtown Greater St. Joseph
United Way offices this afternoon and will meet again Friday morning to pack
more meals.

Strough says the
response from volunteers has been overwhelming. Forty people volunteered to
pack 300 shelf-ready meals today. Forty more volunteered to assemble the meal
kits on Friday morning. The United Way reports a waiting list of 40 people willing
to help.

Strough says the idea
to assemble the food kits originated during the regular United Way board
meeting last week. With no end to the federal government shutdown in sight,
board members began to discuss what could be done if residents’ SNAP program
benefits became seriously threatened.

“It’s hard to give
them a gift card for food, things like that,” Strough says. “But we do have a
great volunteer base who can take a lot of products that don’t go together, put
them in a foil pan, wrap them up, put a recipe card in it, smack a label on it.
And then we have a lot of agencies that we work with that can take those and
get them into people’s hands.”

Strough says the
United Way will do what it can even though the agency understands it cannot make
up for a loss of food stamps.

“We recognize it
is no replacement for the SNAP benefits,” Strough says. “It’s a small drip in
the bucket. But at some point, all those drips start to overflow.”

At present, it
appears Republicans and Democrats remain at loggerheads with no solution to the
federal government shutdown, now in its fourth week, near.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph United Way prepares to step in if SNAP benefits end

A program from Missouri Western State University that began with the St. Joseph School District is now also being offered to Bishop LeBlond students. 

After partnering with the St. Joseph public schools in August, MoWest is now partnering with the St. Joseph Catholic Academy to offer direct admission to students at Bishop LeBlond. 

Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy says to continue expanding direct admission is important to help give students a seamless transition to college 

"We have a significant number of first-generation students, navigating college is not always the easiest process to go through, some of these families don’t know, they don’t have those ideas,” Kennedy tells reporters.  “So, anything that we can do to make it an easier process to show prospective students this is all you have to do.”

Once students are admitted to the program, they are assigned an advisor to help walk them through the process of enrolling into college at MoWest.   

Catholic Academy President Natalie Newville, a graduate of MoWest, says she's glad be able to show students more about Missouri Western and the opportunities it provides 

"I think that the opportunities to keep these students in our community where they can help all of us be better is a great thing,” Newville says. 

Newville says she's already seen excitement from students about the program 

"You can kind of see the relief on their faces when they talk about it that they know this is a strong option that is going to provide them with an opportunity for an amazing education and a phenomenal experience,” Newville explains.  “So, I think that all of those things have given them some relief, and some excitement, and they’re ready to get started.” 

Direct admission guarantees admission to Bishop LeBlond graduates who meet minimum academic criteria, starting with the class of 2026.

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

MoWest offers direct admission to Bishop LeBlond students with new partnership

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=15438.11206187.8924364.8424141&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.nytimes.com%2f2025%2f10%2f28%2fopinion%2fjosh-hawley-snap.html&amp;redir_log=356750262748435" target="_blank">penned</a>&nbsp;the following op-ed on his legislation to fund food benefits that are set to run out on November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. Read the full op-ed&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=15438.11206187.8924364.8424141&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fSupplemental%2520Nutrition+Assistance+Program%2c+or+SNAP&amp;redir_log=213613754195406" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;or below.&nbsp;

The federal government has been shut down for 28 days and counting. That’s 28 days too long and already the second-longest federal shutdown ever. Saturday will be another grim milestone. That is the day about 42 million Americans will lose federal food assistance.Congress must not let that happen. America is a great and wealthy nation, and our most important wealth is our generosity of spirit. We help those in need. We provide for the widow and the orphan. 

Love of neighbor is part of who we are. The Scripture’s injunction to “remember the poor” is a principle Americans have lived by. It’s time Congress does the same.The government shutdown has already touched countless lives, and not for the better. 

Key services have been curtailed and hundreds of thousands of federal employees — from air traffic controllers to Capitol Police officers — are working without pay. But letting federal food assistance lapse would introduce an entirely new stage of suffering. 

The best solution would be to pass a clean funding bill to reopen the government in its entirety, but if that can’t be done, Congress at the very least needs to pass my bill to ensure food assistance continues uninterrupted.Millions of Americans rely on food assistance just to get by. The program often known as food stamps — officially it’s now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — is a lifeline that permits the needy to purchase basic food items at the grocery store. Last year, SNAP enrollees hit about 42 million. 

That’s over 12 percent of the American population.We’re not talking about high earners who don’t really need the assistance. SNAP broadly limits assistance to those who make 130 percent of the poverty line and below. These days, that’s folks who earn about $42,000 or less for a family of four. For these good people, food assistance is not an optional extra. They need it to feed their children.The millions of Americans who receive food assistance include young parents raising children, men and women with disabilities, families suffering from temporary job loss and workers who have fallen on hard times. 

Among SNAP’s many beneficiaries are veterans. Approximately 1.2 million of our warriors receive food assistance.Surely it is not hard to understand why SNAP is so essential to so many. The American economy has not been kind to working people in recent years. 

What cost $100 five years ago costs $125 today. So if you’re not earning 25 percent more than you were five years ago, you’re getting poorer. That’s most families in America. And nowhere do they feel it more than at the grocery store.But nobody in America, this richest of nations, should go to bed hungry, and certainly no child. 

We have a proud tradition of helping those in need. The federal government stood up the first food stamp program in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. In 1960, while touring impoverished West Virginia, then-Senator John F. Kennedy promised, “We will see to it that every American is fed and fed right.” 

A year after his assassination, Congress wrote the Food Stamp Act into law.Federal food benefits, distributed in partnership with the states, have grown to be one of our most vital forms of aid. 

My constituents in Missouri will tell you. A few days ago, a retired teacher from southwest Missouri wrote me about her four grandchildren. They rely on SNAP to buy groceries. Upon hearing that assistance may soon be unavailable, one of the children asked her: “Grandma, what will we do? How will we eat?”Another Missourian relayed a similar story. She had to take time off from work for medical reasons, and now she and her husband, who is disabled, rely on SNAP for groceries. She wrote me: “I understand getting rid of the SNAP program for those who are doing fraud or giving it to illegal aliens. But what about those who need it? Why is the government hurting the honest SNAP people?” A third letter, from a wife in mid-Missouri whose husband has suffered brain damage, said simply of food stamps, “We would not eat without them.”There is no reason any of these residents of my state — or any other American who qualifies for food assistance — should go hungry. We can afford to provide the help. Preventing debilitating poverty through the food program costs only about a tenth of our annual defense budget. Of course, aid should be limited to those who truly need it. But there is no cause, and no excuse, to deny aid to the poor entirely.Congress can still pass legislation during a shutdown, and it should pass my bill to keep SNAP benefits going. 

Last I checked, members of Congress are still getting paid. Republicans blame Democrats, and Democrats blame Republicans, but all these people have food to spare. One suspects that if senators couldn’t buy groceries, the government would never close down again.But this isn’t about politics at all in the end. It’s about who we are. 

The character of a nation is revealed not in quarterly profits or C.E.O. pay, but in how it treats the small and forgotten — the last, the least, the lost. America is a great nation precisely because we have loved our neighbors as ourselves. Congress should live up to that legacy now.

Hawley Op-Ed: No American should go to bed hungry

As you prepare your children to get out and trick or treat, the St. Joseph Police Department wants you to take steps to keep your children safe as they go out.  

Police Chief Paul Luster says to make sure children have visible or bright costumes 

"If it’s not bright, add some reflective tape to it, parents add some reflective tape to that,” Luster says on the KFEQmunnity show.  “Or kids like carrying the glowsticks with them so put those somewhere.” 

Luster would like children to trick or treat in groups. 

"Hopefully you’re in an area where there’s sidewalks, you know use the sidewalks, stay on the well-lit streets, watch for cars obviously,” Luster says. 

Luster also advises drivers to be on the lookout for trick or treaters and says if you are out driving, be patient, and stay vigilant as you travel. 

"Cause you’re going to see just such an influx in pedestrian traffic, so nobody wants to see a tragedy anytime, ” Luster explains.  “So just slow down and stay alert, know there’s children out there and they’re excited, it’s Halloween, they’re getting all kinds of candy, so very innocently one of them could dart out into the street being excited.” 

Luster says the department is also again working with residents in the popular St. Joseph trick or treating area along Ashland Avenue. 

“We put the cones down the middle of the streets just to kind of slow everybody down, and volunteers help us with that, and then we put the electronic sign boards at each end of Ashland just as an extra alert to motorists that there’s a lot of trick or treaters on this street,” Luster says.  “You know from about 5:30 to 9:30 I think that there’s literally thousands of kids on that street.” 

Luster says to be patient as you drive and to avoid distractions as you travel. 

Keep these Halloween safety tips in mind as you get out and trick or treat

China’s state-owned agri-food company, called COFCO or China National Cereals, Oils, and Foodstuffs, bought three cargoes of U.S. soybeans this week. Sources say that the country’s first U.S. soybean buy of the season happened shortly before a summit of leaders Donald Trump and Xi&nbsp; Jinping. The deal calls for a December-January shipment of about 180,000 metric tons of soybeans, the first purchase in months. However, traders say they don’t expect a significant resumption in demand for U.S. soybeans after several big purchases of South American soybeans. 

Reports show grain traders have been optimistic that China and the U.S. would eventually reach a deal this week, which pushed soybean prices higher in Chicago. However, they are still cautious about how much China will actually purchase during this season. With weak Chinese soymeal prices, some still question the profitability of soy imports for Chinese crushers, even if tariffs revert to pre-war levels.

China buys the first U.S. soybeans of the season

The National Pork Producers Council has held ongoing discussions with the Trump administration ahead of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans release. The NPPC has formally expressed concerns regarding the Food and Drug Administration’s forthcoming definition of “ultra-processed foods,” which could be damaging for consumers of pork products. The Council made several recommendations to the FDA, including to not classify food as ultra-processed simply because it doesn’t fit into one of the categories in the problematic NOVA classification system. 

Such a sorting focuses on the food processing rather than the nutritional benefits. They’d also like the agency to not classify foods as ultra-processed that contain ingredients to enhance food safety, shelf stability, and nutrient availability. “As there is no consensus on what constitutes an ‘ultra-processed food,’ the FDA should elevate the importance of nutritional composition, while also protecting the processing and ingredients promoting food safety and nutrient availability,” the NPPC said. 

NPPC proposes strategy to define “ultra-processed foods”

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cami-koons/">Cami Koons</a>

U.S. soybean farmers and lawmakers said the Chinese purchase of several shiploads of U.S. soybeans indicated a positive step in trade negotiations between the two counties.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-buys-three-us-soybean-cargoes-ahead-trump-xi-meeting-sources-say-2025-10-29/" target="_blank">Reuters</a>&nbsp;reported Wednesday that COFCO, a Chinese state-owned food processing company, purchased about 180,000 metric tons of soybeans from the U.S.&nbsp;

The reported purchase, which Reuters attributed to “two trade sources” is the first purchase China has made since harvest season began on the latest U.S. soybean crop.

The country has also bought soybeans from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-expands-argentina-soybean-buying-20-cargoes-traders-say-2025-09-24/" target="_blank">Argentina</a>&nbsp;and continues to purchase from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brazil-soybeans-china-exports-40a785024e483ea9cd555fb3c7323e14" target="_blank">Brazil</a>, leaving soybean farmers and farm industry groups&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/02/iowa-soybean-president-urges-trade-deal-with-china-calls-trump-policies-a-bitter-pill-for-farmers/" target="_blank">concerned</a>&nbsp;they have lost a key international market.&nbsp;

The purchase comes toward the end of harvest season for many farmers, and also a day before President Donald Trump is slated to work out a trade deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The trade deal is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-china-trade-deal-asia-tour-continues-japan-sanae-takaichi/" target="_blank">expected</a>&nbsp;to include agreements on soybeans and other agricultural exports.&nbsp;

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins posted on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SecRollins/status/1983511209333690631" target="_blank">social media</a>&nbsp;Wednesday about the purchase and said it showed “strong dealmaking” on the part of the president and “a positive step forward for our farmers.”&nbsp;

“This purchase, coming directly ahead of the Trump-Xi talks, shows that America means business and that we will restore balance, give U.S. producers the opportunities they’ve earned, and send a message that when America leads in agriculture, the world listens,” Rollins wrote.&nbsp;

Rollins also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/shows/kudlow#" target="_blank">mentioned</a>&nbsp;the purchase while speaking on a Fox Business segment Wednesday.

The estimated 180,000-metric-ton purchase is a small percentage of the nearly 27 million metric tons of soybeans the U.S. exported to China in 2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fas.usda.gov/regions/china" target="_blank">data</a>.&nbsp;

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has also&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/grassley-hopes-for-a-solution-for-farmers-following-loss-of-chinese-market/" target="_blank">called for</a>&nbsp;a trade deal with China that will benefit farmers. Grassley said in a statement Wednesday he hopes for a “successful” meeting between Trump and Xi.

“China thinks it can move the needle at the last minute, but these small purchases are not nearly enough to address the serious threats facing the ag economy,” Grassley said. “While this may be a positive sign, it’s critical that the Chinese market more fully reopens to American soybean growers soon.”

Congressional delegates from Iowa and Wisconsin urged, in a letter this week, the president to&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/27/iowa-delegates-urge-administration-to-prioritize-trade-deal-for-soybean-farmers/" target="_blank">prioritize a soybean deal</a>&nbsp;in his talks with the Chinese leader.&nbsp;

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, who led the letter, said Wednesday the purchase from China was a “an important first step and a clear signal of momentum” for Trump’s negotiations.&nbsp;

“I’ve led the charge for our farmers and rural communities: end China’s trade war, restore market access, and expand ag exports,” Nunn said in a statement. “President Trump has proven time and again he has the tools to deliver. I look forward to reviewing the deal.”

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, wrote on social media that the purchase was a “<a href="https://x.com/rogermarshallmd/status/1983530082800148666?s=12" target="_blank">big win</a>” for farmers.&nbsp;

Nebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer also&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/senatorfischer/status/1983545407389966844?s=46&amp;t=59TO4z1VG6CVW59Gr61ouQ" target="_blank">posted</a>&nbsp;on social media and said the deal showed “agricultural trade could ease tensions between Washington and Beijing, while also leveling the playing field and directly assisting hardworking American ag producers.”

The American Soybean Association did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://x.com/ohiosoybean/status/1983549232272306640?s=12" target="_blank">Ohio Soybean Association</a>&nbsp;President Rusty Goebel said on the social media platform X that farmers were “encouraged” by the “positive trade news” and said the association looks forward to additional deals and purchases.&nbsp;

A representative from the Iowa Soybean Association declined to comment and said news of the purchase had not been “adequately substantiated.”&nbsp;

COFCO, the Chinese company that reportedly purchased the soybeans, did not respond to a request for comment or confirmation.

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/29/reports-china-buys-several-shiploads-of-u-s-soybeans-ahead-of-trump-trade-meeting/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Nebraska Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Reports: China buys several shiploads of U.S. soybeans ahead of Trump trade meeting

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

Row-crop markets held near even for most of the session on Wednesday but still among the highest prices observed in months as traders remain optimistic on commodity demand but at this point are willing to wait for the long anticipated meeting on Thursday between President Trump and President Xi of China before deciding their next round of trades. In outside markets, the Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to cut interest rates by a quarter point in what was an expected move, with further cuts expected in December and again in January. Equity markets extended gains into what have become daily records over the past week on the interest rate news as well as the wide sense of trade optimism across markets.

The live cattle complex&nbsp;was finally trading higher as the market has received confirmation that, although Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins spoke with officials in Mexico last Friday, there is no date currently on the table to reopen the border, as New World screwworm remains a concern. This was the bullish news that the market needed to hear to trade higher following last week's catastrophic decline. This positive news helped the spot December live cattle contract turn higher, and thankfully, now the contract is trading back above the market's 100-day moving average. No new trade has developed in the fed cash cattle market, following the light business that developed Monday afternoon. So far this week, there's been some cattle traded in the North at $360, which is $9.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average. There is a chance that if the board continues to trade higher than the fed cash cattle market may see prices better than what was traded on Monday. Asking prices range anywhere from $234 to $240 in the South and are still not established in the North.

The feeder cattle complex saw the headline it needed to see to begin to put fear behind it and again trade higher. Upon receiving confirmation that the US intends to keep its border closed and does not have a date pinned down for when it intends to see the border reopened to allow Mexican cattle to be imported into the U.S., the feeder cattle complex can now again breathe easy.

Pork cutout values may be a tick higher, but the lean hog complex couldn't seem to muster up enough support to really move the contracts higher. The cash market will likely continue to trade lower as packers were extremely aggressive in Tuesday's market and won't likely need many more hogs ahead of the week's end.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/29141310/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds met recently with President Donald Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to discuss the president’s plan to import some beef from Argentina. Rounds said they agreed the U.S. needs an America First game plan that prioritizes American farmers and ranchers. Following the meeting, Rounds said he was encouraged by the president’s desire to do right by the American producer. Opening the market to even more foreign beef, which American consumers cannot differentiate because of current labeling rules, would only exacerbate the problem and hurt domestic producers. 

Implementing Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling would empower consumers to choose, but instead it “continues to sit on the shelf gathering dust.” Rounds said the Packers and Stockyards Act continues to be ignored, as four companies – two of which are Brazilian-owned – monopolize the beef processing market. He said that the issue cannot be resolved by displacing American beef with foreign beef. 

Packers and Stockyards Act being ignored

As farmers continue navigating a period of tight margins and volatile markets, The Fertilizer Institute is urging policymakers to focus on practical solutions. TFI president and CEO Corey Rosenbusch said the solutions need to strengthen U.S. agriculture, expand markets for producers, and ensure farmers have access to fertilizer exactly when and where it’s needed. “America’s farmers are the most productive in the world, and we’re proud to stand with them through the challenging market conditions we are experiencing as global factors continue driving fertilizer costs,” Rosenbusch said. 

TFI listed a number of steps to accomplish its goals, including advancing a national policy to expand domestic fertilizer production, appointing a full-time USDA Fertilizer Economist to monitor market dynamics, and streamlining federal permitting and regulatory reviews to accelerate construction and modernization of fertilizer plants, mines, and infrastructure. “The input industries like fertilizer and seed all rely on strong, stable farm demand,” Rosenbusch added. 

Fertilizer Institute Wants Policy to Strengthen Input Supplies

December corn closed up 3 1/4 cents and March corn was up 1 3/4 cents. November soybeans closed up 11 cents and January soybeans were up 10 1/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 5 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 3 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 1 1/2 cents.

President Trump finalized a deal with Japan during his visit to the country on Monday afternoon, adding fuel to the already surging row crop markets. Japan is already a significant buyer of U.S. ag products and the agreement keeps market participants optimistic that the relationship will continue to grow in terms of volumes traded. Meanwhile, energy prices have worked lower thus far this week, retesting support following last week's Russia sanction driven jump. Equity markets are higher primarily on trade optimism, as investors will turn their attention to the Federal Reserve on Wednesday for their interest rate decision, which is widely expected to be another quarter point cut.

The live cattle complex found just a smidgen of stability in Tuesday's market, as traders let the contracts trade mildly higher for portions of the session. Meanwhile, the turmoil that's shaken the cattle complex to its core is still rattling the fed cash cattle market as bids are on the table early this morning, and packers were able to get some cattle bought Monday afternoon. Asking prices are noted at $240 plus in the South but are still not established in the North. A light trade was reported by Mandatory in the North yesterday, with dressed deals showing a rather wide range of $355 to $360.

The live cattle complex may have traded higher for portions of the session, but the feeder cattle market was still trading sharply lower as the market is unsettled and uneasy without knowing what happened between Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Mexican officials in their meeting last Friday. Unfortunately, until some answers are provided or some clarity develops, it's unlikely that the market is going to trade anything but lower.

The lean hog complex continued to trade lower as the market is still disappointed in the lack of support it's seeing from consumers. And until traders see more support develop, a steady/somewhat lower trend is most likely.

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Rabobank says food inflation continues to outpace overall inflation, and restaurants feel the pressure of nine straight quarters of declining traffic, but some chains are bucking the trend and growing in visits and spending. U.S. retail beef prices continue rising, with the USDA’s all-fresh beef price reaching a record $9.18 per pound in August. U.S. cattle slaughter from January through September is down 1.5 million head, a seven percent drop compared to the same period last year. 

Pork prices are still well ahead of year-ago levels and the five-year average, with cutout values of $109 per hundredweight averaging 15 percent above last year. Chicken production also continues to outpace year-ago levels, and chicken prices have also come down sharply in recent weeks. August milk production increased 3.2 percent versus last year, and at 9.52 million cows, the herd is the largest it’s been since the mid-1990s. July dairy exports were up seven percent year-over-year.

Rabobank: Food inflation outpacing overall inflation

President Donald Trump and his administration have signed trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia,  with the Malaysian portion having an enormous economic potential for America’s pork producers. “We’re grateful to the president for increasing market access for U.S. pork to Malaysia, a country that’s been importing pork despite limited plants being eligible for export,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler. “More than 25 percent of U.S. pork production gets exported, so producers count on exports to help keep their farms afloat, especially in times of uncertainty.” 

The deal with Malaysia will open access to all U.S. facilities included in the Food Safety and Inspection Service Meat, Poultry, and Egg Inspection Directory. Pork exports to Malaysia hit record levels of over $24.5 million in 2024, a significant amount given that only eight U.S. plants are currently eligible for export. Exports to Malaysia have increased by over 1,700 percent in the last five years. 

U.S. pork industry gets good news 

December corn closed up 5 1/2 cents and March corn was up 7 1/4 cents. November soybeans closed up 25 1/2 cents and January soybeans were up 24 3/4 cents. December KC wheat closed up 12 3/4 cents, December Chicago wheat was up 13 1/2 cents, December Minneapolis wheat was up 3 1/4 cents.

There was no question late Sunday through Monday as to what was driving row-crop futures higher after positive comments from U.S. trade representatives following a weekend of negotiations with their Chinese counterparts in Malaysia sent the soybean market skyrocketing toward 2025 highs, pulling along corn and wheat futures for the ride. Meanwhile, outside markets were positive on the trade news as well, with higher energies and higher equities offering a foundation of support to futures.

It's completely fair to say, "it's been a miserable day," before the clock hits noon, when both the live cattle and feeder cattle contracts are trading at their expanded limits. Upon searching for a reason as to "why" the market was suffering so severely, unfortunately there's no new tangible reason why the market is enduring such catastrophic losses. Instead, the market continues to be pressured by the chaos that's been endured over the last two weeks between President Trump stating that he'd like to see beef prices lowered, talked about increased imports from Argentina and the technical pandemonium that's ensued ever since. Last week, Northern dressed cattle traded at mostly $370, which is $2.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average. Southern live cattle traded at mostly $238, which is $2.00 lower than the previous week's weighted average.

It was another gut-wrenching day for the feeder cattle complex as the market continued to sink unnervingly lower, and hitting its expanded limit for the day. Unfortunately, the spot November feeder cattle contract is nearly hitting its 100-day moving average, which could trigger even more technical pressure.

The lean hog complex also traded slightly lower into Monday's closing bell, feeling unsupported by the market's fundamentals. Until consumer support improves, it's unlikely that the market will see much more upside potential from a technical sense.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/10/27193253/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

KANSAS CITY —A passenger injured in an accident on Wednesday in Kansas City has died.

Just after 12:30 a.m., a silver Dodge Journey was southbound on Broadway in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The driver of the Dodge suffered a possible medical emergency and accelerated through the intersection of Linwood and Broadway. 

The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right, struck an unoccupied parked Lexus and traveled up onto the sidewalk. The Dodge then struck a steel light pole, the Vietnam Memorial and continued traveling southbound through the grass and struck the side of the VFW building.

EMS transported both the driver and front seat passenger of the of the Dodge to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Both were reported in very critical condition.

The passenger of the Dodge Journey, an adult female,  was pronounced deceased at the Wednesday night, according to Becchina.&nbsp; Police released no additional details including the name of the victim.

This is fatality #55 compared to #80 last year in Kansas City, Missouri.

KCPD: Passenger injured in SUV crash has died

KANSAS CITY—Authorities investigating the death of an inmate in Jackson County, Missouri have released his name.&nbsp;

On October 21, the Sheriff’s Office was notified that 44-year-old Billy Joe Hercules, who had been transported to a local hospital on October 19, had died, according to a statement from Sheriff Daryl Forte'. Hercules is from Independence, Missouri.

Preliminary findings continue to indicate that no physical interaction occurred between Hercules and corrections officers prior to his death.

The cause and manner of death remain under investigation by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, which has not yet issued its official report. Hercules was being held for the Johnson County Kansas sheriff's office, according to online jail records. Authorities releas

Sheriff: Investigation on cause of death of inmate continues 

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a residence in the 3000 block of Bellefontaine in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Officers were led inside the residence where they located a shooting victim unresponsive. Officers called for EMS who responded to the scene and transported the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary information indicates the shooting appears to have taken place inside or near the front of the residence there. There is no known suspect information at this time, according to Becchina. Police did not release the name of the victim.

KCPD: Homicide victim found near front of residence

🎥President Trump: Good news for Farmers after meeting with President Xi

Sunset Zoo in Manhattan announced on Wednesday the passing of Susie the Western chimpanzee.S usie had been under close veterinary and caretaker observation to monitor for expected age-related health challenges such as development of cataracts, arthritis, and muscle loss for many years.

Through daily quality of life assessments which provide an objective understanding of animal wellbeing, staff recently noticed a significant decline in Susie’s behavior, mobility, and comfort level. Veterinary and animal care teams recognized that they could not provide any more medical and palliative care than was already administered. After careful evaluation and thoughtful discussion with chimpanzee experts, care staff, and Zoo management, the team made the compassionate yet difficult choice to humanely euthanize Susie.

At 71, Susie had the proud distinction of being the oldest female chimpanzee in human care. Susie lived more than three decades beyond the average chimpanzee lifespan in the wild, which is typically around 40 years. Her life is a testament to the dedication of Sunset Zoo’s animal care team and partners at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.“Susie was a truly special animal here at Sunset Zoo,” reflected Sunset Zoo Director, Scott Shoemaker. “She touched the hearts of every member of our team. Whether she was giving ‘kisses’ to those she knew or enjoying one of her favorite treats—popcorn—she always brought joy to our days. She will be deeply missed.”

Susie was born in 1954 and arrived at Sunset Zoo in 1974. Like other members of the community, she witnessed many changes to the Zoo and the chimpanzee habitat specifically. When Susie first arrived at Sunset Zoo, she lived in a habitat near where the otters are currently located. She moved to the then-primate building which has since been removed from public view and houses the keeper offices. In 1997, the Chimpanzees of Tanganyika habitat opened, which became her permanent home.“Like so many in Manhattan, I grew up visiting Susie,” remembered Parks and Recreation Director, Aaron Stewart. “She was part of my childhood and has been part of this community’s story for generations. Her long life is something we should truly celebrate—a reflection of the remarkable care she received and the deep compassion of those who watched over her every day.

But her passing is also deeply felt. For countless families, Susie was their first connection to wildlife, their first visit to Sunset Zoo, and their first lesson in empathy for animals. Her presence brought joy, wonder, and a sense of shared pride that will live on in the memories of our community and everyone who had the privilege to know her.”Susie is survived by her troop members Julian (46), Hazina (38), Hususa (33), and Koto (12). Over her lifetime, Susie gave birth to seven offspring and held the distinction of being the oldest chimpanzee in human care to give birth. She is survived by two of her daughters: Sesa, born in 1988 and now residing at Montgomery Zoo, and Siri, born in 2010—when Susie was 56 years old—who lives at Albuquerque BioPark Zoo.

“Susie’s legacy will extend far beyond her years here at Sunset Zoo,” remarked Sunset Zoo Curator of Education, Erica Buckwalter. “Not only did she play a vital role in helping secure a future for chimpanzees in managed care, but she also inspired generations of guests to care for and protect wildlife and wild places. We can honor her legacy by being good stewards of the natural world she helped us appreciate.”Sunset Zoo appreciates the compassion and concern of guests and asks for their understanding as the team mourns the loss of this beloved member of the Zoo family.

Guests wishing to share their memories of Susie may sign the cards located in the Ballard Gallery primate viewing area.Chimpanzees are currently listed as&nbsp;Endangered&nbsp;in the wild, with populations continuing to decline due to habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, and poaching. It is estimated that only around 150,000 to 250,000 individuals remain across Africa. Conservation efforts are critical to protect remaining wild populations, support sustainable habitats, and prevent further decline of this intelligent and social species.

Kan. zoo mourns the loss the oldest female chimp in human care

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for his role in a fatal road rage shooting that took place last month in northeast Kansas City. 

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2747/Logan-COMPLAINTREDACTED">Laken Logan</a>, 20,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2748/Logan-PCREDACTED-1">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of NE Chouteau Trafficway and Gardner Avenue on Aug. 23 and found the victim with apparent trauma to his head. The victim was declared deceased at a local hospital.&nbsp;

Based on surveillance footage and witness reports, the victim’s vehicle was driving along Choteau Trafficway when a vehicle, later identified as driven by Logan cut them off, aggressively braking in front of them, and driving at excessive speeds. The victim’s vehicle drove slightly ahead of the Logan’s vehicle and multiple flashes were seen coming from Logan's vehicle, then the victim’s vehicle hit the median. Logan's vehicle then fled.&nbsp;

On Oct. 21, detectives received the results of a search warrant tracking the Logan’s car, placing him in the area of the shooting.

During an interview with detectives, Logan admitted to verbally confronting the victim, wanting an apology after the victim allegedly swerved into his lane. He told detectives conflicting information about where he was intending to aim the firearm and where the firearm was located.

KC man accused of killing driver who 'swerved into his lane of traffic'

Earlier Wednesday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on yet another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) in the Eastern Pacific, according to a social media report from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel—and killed—during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. No U.S. forces were harmed in this strike.

The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans. The Department of War will continue to hunt them down and eliminate them wherever they operate.

🎥US military kills 4 in new strike on drug-running boat

SALINE COUNTY —Police responded to report of a loose dog have made a drug arrest.

On Tuesday, police were dispatched to the&nbsp;Airliner Motel, 781 N. Broadway in Salina about a loose dog in the area. When they arrived, officers made contact with a 55-year old woman identified as Leslie McMurray,&nbsp;in the area of her room, according to Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler

&nbsp;McMurray was allegedly holding a Yeti cup and an officer observed a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine residue in. McMurray was then arrested without incident.

McMurray was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Drug Paraphernalia.

Police make drug arrest while looking for dog

🎥What President Trump now says about running for a third term

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Newton City Commission approved a lease agreement with Shield AI, an aeronautics technology manufacturer specializing in artificial intelligence drones, for a site at Newton City/County Airport.

The lease agreement includes 16,000 square feet of hangar and office space in Hangar J, as well as three acres of undeveloped land on the east side of the airport. The lease has an initial 5-year term at $90,000 per year, and two additional 5-year term options with an annual 1.5% increase on the hangar rate.

Shield AI, founded in 2015, develops autonomy software and aircraft that use artificial intelligence to protect service members and civilians in high-risk environments. The company’s latest innovation, the X-BAT, is the world’s first AI-piloted, vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet.

Jacob Miller with Shield AI said the company had been searching for a location as it develops the next iteration of its combat aircraft technology.

“We look to Newton airport to be the spot to help unlock and continue to keep the U.S. at the forefront of artificial intelligence and specifically artificial intelligence on aircraft,” Miller said.

The company’s initial plans are to use the Newton facility for testing during the manufacturing process.

The City and County, as joint owners of the airport, agreed to install a gravel service road from First Street to the ground lease acreage, and to update the office area and restrooms to code. City staff estimate the remodeling work will cost about $15,000 and are still working with Shield AI to determine the specifications and estimated cost of the road extension.

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