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

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

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

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

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

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

The seminar will begin at 2pm on Sunday.  

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

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

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

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

Seminar helps those suffering from loss of a loved one

ATCHISON COUNTY, Missouri —One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Chevy Silverado driven by a 53-year-old Platte City man was southbound on Interstate 29 nine miles north of Rock Port.&nbsp; The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, crossed into northbound lanes, struck a fence, a ditch and rolled onto its top.

The driver was air-lifted to University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man airlifted to hospital after pickup rollover crash

KFEQ Week in Review

ANDREW COUNTY —Four people were injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Ram 1500 driven by an 18-year-old Highland, Kansas, man was westbound on Route O near county Road 290 just west of Cosby. The driver lost control of the pickup. It traveled off the north side of the road, struck the ground with the front bumper, traveled down an embankment and struck the ground a second time.&nbsp; The vehicle was driven to a controlled stop.

EMS transported the driver and three passengers including a 19-year-old man and an 18-year-old man from St. Joseph and a 19-year-old woman from Sargent, Nebraska to Mosaic Life Care. Only the driver was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 teens from St. Joe among 4 injured in pickup crash

CALDWELL COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Friday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 GMC Yukon driven by a 44-year-old Cowgil man was westbound on Highway F three miles south of Kingston. The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at MO 13.&nbsp; A northbound 2022 Ford Escape driven by a 20-year-old Braymer woman struck the Yukon.

EMS transported the Ford driver to Mosaic Life Care and the driver and a passenger in the Yukon to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 hospitalized after SUVs collide on Missouri highway

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

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

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

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

Kan. man who keeps skipping court is caught with meth

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph city officials have no comment on Hemme lawsuit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Missouri man injured after semi accident

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Commodity markets daily recap

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

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

Rollins blocks taxpayer dollars for solar panels on prime farmland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Farm credit supporting young farmers

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

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

USDA issues August livestock report

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

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

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

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

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

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

WILSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Saturday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Chevy Traverse driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Shirley Kay Martin, 82, Buffalo, Kansas, was southbound on Harper Road at U.S. 400. The driver failed to yield at the stop sign and struck a westbound 2021 Jeep Wrangler driven by Brittany Charlyn&nbsp;Sweet, 36, Wichita. After impact both vehicles left the road.

Martin was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Country Side Funeral Home.&nbsp; EMS transported Sweet and a passenger in the Jeep&nbsp;Mariah Danielle Tucker, 28, Belle Plaine, to Wesley Medical Center. A second passenger in the Jeep was not injured.&nbsp; Martin was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dead, 2 injured after SUV, Jeep crash

KANSAS CITY—Two Kansas City men face charges for tampering with a witness on social media, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2710/Hernandez-REDACT-COMP">Eduardo V. Hernandez</a>, 22, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2712/Cerritos-FloresAdan---Complaint">Adan G. Cerritos-Flores</a>&nbsp;each face two counts of Tampering with a Witness in a Felony Prosecution.&nbsp; If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2709/Hernandez-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, a series of separate shootings occurred between July 12-13 and on July 16. Shots were fired into multiple occupied residences, some with juveniles inside. No injuries were reported. Last week, Antonio Lopez-Hernandez, Julian Chavarria, and Alexis Vega-Martinez were charged and taken into custody for their roles in the shootings.

Following their arrests, detectives discovered publicly visible posts on social media that were intimidating and threatening in nature toward the victims and witnesses of the shootings. The posts were made from Hernandez and Cerritos-Flores’s social media accounts.&nbsp;

Hernandez is being held on a $50,000 cash bond. Cerritos-Flores is being held on a $10,000 cash bond with CHA.&nbsp;

Two accused of witness tampering on social media following KC shootings 

CAMDEN COUNTY —A Kansas City man drowned just after 12:15a.m. Saturday at Lake of the Ozarks.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the 52-year-old was observed falling into the water off a dock at Fan Hollow Cove.&nbsp; He did not resurface. He was pulled from the water at 4:16a.m.&nbsp; and pronounced deceased and transported to Alee Holman-Howe Funeral Home.

He was not wearing a life jacket, according to the Patrol. The Patrol no longer releases names of drowning victims.

Kansas City man fell off dock, drowns at Lake of the Ozarks

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating a fatal shooting that left one dead in Topeka.

Just after noon August 14, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 2400 block of SE Bellview Avenue in Topeka, acording to a statement from police on Friday.

First responders found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

All individuals involved have been identified, and police are not currently looking for a suspect. There is no danger to the public at this time.

Due to the nature of the investigation, Topeka Police are not able to release the identities of those involved.

Police continue investigation of fatal Kansas shooting 

The Trump administration is considering placing marijuana in the same federal classification as codeine, instead of where it currently is alongside heroin

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri has won&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/11/missouris-1-4-billion-cannabis-market-outpaces-states-with-older-programs/">praise</a>&nbsp;for having one of the nation’s most robust cannabis markets.&nbsp;But buzz about the president’s interest in relaxing federal marijuana restrictions is raising questions about the potential impact on that economic success.

Last year in Missouri, a pound of wholesale marijuana sold for about $2,000 on average, according to the nation’s leading wholesale cannabis platform LeafLink. That put Missouri in the company’s top five highest prices.

It’s still profitable to sell a marijuana facility license in Missouri, said Ben Burstein, corporate development manager at LeafLink —&nbsp; a dynamic that is not true in many other states.&nbsp;

“You have tons of licensed operators that put millions of dollars into their businesses over time,” Burstein said of the experience in many other states. “And not only are they not making money, they have to pay to get rid of those licenses and all the closing costs associated with it.”&nbsp;

Experts agree the success is due, at least in part, to Missouri’s limited number of facility licenses.&nbsp;

Capping the number of businesses that can partake in the cannabis industry has drawn pointed criticism that it has encouraged a monopoly in the program and created the appearance of corruption. But the cap also keeps supply and demand in balance, experts say, protecting Missouri from the pitfalls others states are facing.&nbsp;

Oregon-based cannabis economist Beau Whitney says in other states there’s a “massive amount of oversupply” that has made it difficult for marijuana businesses to stay afloat.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/business-issues-benchmarks/cannabis-business-profit-trends/news/15686501/only-27-of-us-cannabis-operators-profitable-in-2024-whitney-economics-reports" target="_blank">survey</a>&nbsp;Whitney Economics released last year found that only 27% of cannabis companies nationwide on average were profitable in the cannabis space. And 73% were either breaking even or losing money.

Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://mjbizdaily.com/when-will-president-donald-trump-reclassify-marijuana/" target="_blank">President Donald Trump told reporters</a>&nbsp;he plans to revisit a proposal to reschedule marijuana that started under President Joe Biden, which has been on pause since January. The plan would place marijuana in the same federal classification as codeine, instead of where it currently is alongside heroin.

“We’re looking at it,” said Trump last Monday, noting that he expects to determine whether cannabis will be reclassified in the next few weeks.

So would a push by the president to restart the plan disrupt Missouri’s ecosystem?

The short answer is yes, Whitney said, but it wouldn’t be immediate.&nbsp;

The process to reschedule a drug requires going through multiple drafts of administrative rules, hearings and public comment periods that could take years to accomplish.&nbsp;

“It’s a long process,” Whitney said. “It’s not a snap of the finger.”

It’s currently a federal crime for marijuana to cross over state lines. Would rescheduling open up the borders and allow states to sell to each other, also allowing the oversupply to bottom out Missouri’s prices?

That depends on the details in the federal rules, said St. Louis attorney Eric Walter, who represents a number of cannabis operators and the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association.

But a provision in the Missouri constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2022 legalizing marijuana was designed to control that scenario, Walter said. It states that if federal law is amended to allow interstate commerce, then only licensed cultivators could import marijuana from other states.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“They couldn’t just sell directly to dispensaries or sell directly to consumers,” Walter said. “It would still need to run through the regulated licensees, and the product would be subject to all of our specific requirements, including our testing panel.”

While it could upset Missouri’s economic impact, Walter said the financial impact nationwide would be “massive.”&nbsp;

Rescheduling marijuana means that the substance would be moved from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substance Act to Schedule 3.&nbsp;

“Marijuana has been on 1 since the [act] was created in the early 70s,” he said, “and it never belonged.”

Medical benefits and susceptibility of addiction are taken into account when scheduling, Walter said, and Schedule 1 is for the most addictive substances with no known medical benefits, such as heroin. Cocaine is Schedule 2 because it has some medical benefits, such as numbing properties.&nbsp;

“It would further erode some of the anti-marijuana bias and perceptions, and open the door to banks and financial institutions interacting with industry operators more sensibly,” Walter said.

Rescheduling would also provide tax relief to businesses, he said.

Whitney calculated that this year cannabis businesses will pay about $2.7 billion more in taxes than a normal business would have paid because they can’t write off deductions on their federal taxes.&nbsp;

“They’re paying huge taxes to the federal government, even though it’s federally illegal,” Whitney said.&nbsp;

In Missouri, Burstein estimates the annual impact of rescheduling in terms of taxes to be more than $150 million in additional cash flows to operators, based on current market sales.

While rescheduling would give tax breaks, it may also increase the burden on operators to get certain certifications and occur other expenses in compliance, Whitney said. With so few operators profitable as it is, “not everybody is going to be able to survive,” he said.

The rules will have different impacts in each state. In Oregon, Whitney said all Schedule 3 drugs must be sold at pharmacies, meaning dispensaries could be out of business.&nbsp;

“That tax break doesn’t really help if you’re out of business,” Whitney said. “Rescheduling is maybe not the greatest thing from an economic perspective and for the industry. Even though reform is always welcome, the question then becomes, well, is the reform going to do more harm than good? I just don’t know because the reform is still in concept. It’s not even on paper.”

While President Trump said he’d take a look at it, the timing is unclear. Many Republicans, including the DEA chief Terrance Cole, are opposed to marijuana, he said.

“Operators need to remain disciplined and realize that there’s not going to be change overnight,” he said, “but be flexible enough in their processes to be able to pivot quickly once those changes happen.”

How will Missouri’s cannabis market change if the feds reschedule marijuana? 

WASHINGTON —During a presentation and press conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office on Friday, President Trump held up a photo sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin: "I'm going to sign this for him . That's a man named Vladimir Putin who I believe will be coming to 2026 FIFA World Cup depending on what happens."

🎥President Trump shows off photo sent from Putin

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

TOPEKA — Black Hills Energy Corp. announced it will merge with NorthWestern Energy Group, pending regulatory approval.

Black Hills offers natural gas services in Kansas, primarily in the southwest and south-central part of the state. It is regulated by the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Company leaders said in a joint investor call this week that merger approval is needed in the three states in which both companies currently operate, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota, and possibly in Arkansas.

The all-stock transaction is expected to close in 12 to 15 months.

In the agreement, NorthWestern shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.98 shares of Black Hills for each share of NorthWestern they own at the close of the transaction, a press release said.

Black Hills shareholders will continue to hold the same number of shares of the combined company that they hold of Black Hills immediately before the closing of the transaction, the press release said. Once the merger is completed, Black Hills shareholders will own approximately 56% and NorthWestern shareholders will own approximately 44% of the combined company.

In an investor call, Black Hills CEO Linn Evans said the merger strengthens both companies, which have been operating in the same areas for the past 20 years.

“We’ve talked about potentially combining these two companies, and given the organic growth opportunities we have before us and the impact on customer affordability, the benefits of scale,&nbsp;we would argue, have never been more relevant, and merging our businesses now has never made more sense,” Evans said.

Upon closing, the company will have a new name and trade under a new stock ticker, Evans said. NorthWestern president and CEO Brian Bird will lead the merged company, and Evans said he will retire after the merger concludes.

The company will be headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, where Black Hills headquarters are currently located.

Natural gas, electric companies Black Hills, NorthWestern Energy plan merger

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of an apartment fire in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 10a.m. Friday crews responded to a reported apartment fire located at Truman Road.and Woodland, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. Crews reported heavy fire and smoke from two story vacant structure. Interior operations were initiated using multiple handlines.

Searches of the structure came back all clear. There were no injuries reported at this incident. The KCFD has run multiple fires in this vacant complex over the past several months.

Another fire at the same apartment building in Kansas City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Willson Contreras homered and Alec Burleson's two-run single highlighted a five-run second inning as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 on Thursday night.

Trailing 1-0 going into the second, the Cardinals got run-scoring hits from Nathan Church and Lars Nootbaar before another run scored on a wild pitch and Burleson drove in two runs with a single to right field.

Tampa Bay's Yardy Diaz hit a two-run homer in the third. It was his 17th homer at Steinbrenner Field and 21st of the season overall. Ivan Herrera added an RBI single in the fourth for the Cardinals and Contreras hit his 18th homer of the season in the seventh off Bryan Baker.