Here is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned for the Northwest region of Missouri for the week of March 16 - 22.

There may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below. Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work.

U.S. Route 136 – Resurfacing project through July 2026. The road will be narrowed to one lane, and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place.&nbsp;

Gene Field Road Bridge –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project through July 2026.

U.S. Route 59/Route 752/Route U – Intersection improvement project through spring 2027.

U.S. Route 169 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for an intersection improvement project at Southeast Riverside Terrace through mid-July 2026.

Route 169 – Intersection improvement project at Route FF through mid-August 2026. A 10-foot width restriction will be in place. Access to 49th Street will be closed through June 2026.

U.S. Route 169 – Utility/permit work at Route FF, through March 22. The road will be narrowed to one lane during daytime hours with flaggers guiding motorists through the work zone.

Route 13 – ADA improvements project from Samuel Street to School Street in Hamilton through mid-April. Route 13 will be narrowed to one lane with flaggers.

Route 10 – Pavement repair and resurfacing project from Route FF to Route C in Ray County, through May 15. The road will be narrowed to one lane with flaggers guiding motorists through the work zone.

U.S. Route 65 – Striping operation, March 18-April 1. This will be a moving operation. Motorists should expect delays. A 16-foot width restriction will be in place.&nbsp;

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Mid-Fork Chariton River Overflow Bridge for replacement projects through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through March 2026.

Route O –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Bee Creek Bridge for a replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through April 2026.

Route KK –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Little Chariton River Bridge for a deck replacement project through March 2026.

I-35 – Concrete replacement southbound from the 41.2 mile marker to the 36.4 mile marker, March 16-20. Southbound will be narrowed to one lane around-the-clock with a 10-foot width restriction.

Route 13 – ADA improvements project from Berry Street to Van Buren Street in Gallatin through mid-April. Route 13 will be narrowed to one lane with flaggers.

U.S. Route 36 – Concrete replacement westbound from I-35 to Ensign Trace, March 17-20. Westbound will be narrowed to one lane around-the-clock.

Route N –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from East Diamond Road to Route O, March 16, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Route 111 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for bridge work from Beagle Road to America Drive, March 16-19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Route B – Bridge rehabilitation project at the South Nichols Creek bridge, south of New Point, March 16 through early May 2026. The bridge will be narrowed to one lane with flaggers.

Route 11 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Badger Creek Bridge, north of New Boston, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through May 2026.

Route 139 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Parson Creek Bridge, north of Meadville, for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle through May 2026.

Route U –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Long Branch Bridge, northwest of Bucklin, through early May for a deck replacement project.

U.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance westbound at the Higgins Drain Ditch Bridge, March 16-19. The bridge will be narrowed to one lane around-the-clock.

Route K –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the North Fork Crooked Creek Bridge through April 2026 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle.

U.S. Route 65 – Striping operation, March 18-April 1. This will be a moving operation. Motorists should expect delays. A 16-foot width restriction will be in place.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Route JJ –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Honey Creek Bridge for a deck replacement project through early April 2026.

Route E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Medicine Creek Bridge March 19 through May 2026 for a deck replacement project.

Route E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Honey Creek Bridge through July 2026 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle.

Route O – Shoulder work from Route 46 to the Gentry County line, March 16, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The road will be narrowed to one lane with flaggers..

Route EE –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from 240th Street to 230th Street, March 17-20, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Route N –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Turkey Creek Bridge through July 2026 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle.

Route FF –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the Shoal Creek bridge March 18 through May 2026 for a deck replacement project.

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the West Locust Creek Bridge through June 2026 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle.

Route T –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at the East Locust Creek bridge through July 2026 for a bridge replacement project through the Northwest Bridge Bundle.

Route Y –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;daily in up to 2-mile sections for resurfacing, March 18-24.

Route 46 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at Marlowe Branch Creek for a bridge replacement project through May 2026.

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from U.S. Route 169 to Pebble Avenue, March 16, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Planned Roadwork for Northwest Missouri, March 16 - 22

Northwest Missouri State University President Dr. Lance Tatum announced Thursday that the institution is establishing a Center for Rural Health. 

The center aims to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers in rural Missouri and the surrounding region. “The University recognizes a critical opportunity to address growing healthcare workforce needs across rural Missouri and the surrounding region,” Tatum said.

Tatum presented tentative plans for the center to the University’s Board of Regents during a work session, noting that the vision has been a priority since he arrived at the university in 2023. He emphasized that the university is well-positioned to expand its allied health programs and strengthen industry partnerships to ensure rural communities have necessary medical leadership “for a healthier future.”

The new center will function as an interdisciplinary hub focused on academic innovation and program delivery for underserved communities. Tatum highlighted the school's commitment to its neighbors, stating, “Part of our mission is to be good partners to the communities we serve in northwest Missouri.” Beyond training, the facility is designed to foster collaboration across different academic disciplines and serve as a resource for regional research.

A key motivator for the project is the high demand for nurses in the area. According to Missouri Hospital Association data, northwest Missouri faces a 12.1 percent nursing vacancy rate, which is higher than the state average of 10.1 percent. Tatum noted that there are “countless opportunities” for the institution’s talent and expertise to serve the broader region and state.

Since 2019, Northwest has admitted more than 2,100 pre-nursing students, but these students have historically been forced to transfer to other institutions to finish their degrees. Currently, students can only complete general education and prerequisites at Northwest before seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing elsewhere.

To bridge this gap, a new four-year nursing program will anchor the center. The university plans to leverage its existing faculty and its accredited RN-BSN and MSN programs to build a robust workforce pipeline. Tatum noted that this strategy is built on existing foundations, saying, “Our vision is based on an opportunity we see through increased demand in existing programs that we already offer at Northwest.”

The University expects to launch the Center for Rural Health as early as 2027. Tatum concluded that the regional workforce needs are immediate and unavoidable. “The workforce needs of northwest Missouri related to healthcare are real, and they are staring us directly in the face,” Tatum said.

Northwest Missouri State to launch Center for Rural Health

KFEQ Morning Sports

WORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Suighwaynday in Worth County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F250 driven by a 33-year-old Diagonal, Iowa man was southbound on U.S. 169 at E Farwell Street in Grant City.

The pickup was traveling too fast for conditions of the road. The pickup traveled off the west side of the road and started to slide. The driver overcorrected, the pickup overturned and the driver who was not wearing a seat belt was ejected.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the patrol. The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

Driver dies after ejected when pickup overturns on Mo. roadway

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Sunday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Jeep Cherokee driven by a 23-year-old Bethany woman was westbound on Route MM four miles north of Gillman City. The Jeep traveled off the north side of the road, struck a culvert and rolled.

North Missouri EMS transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman hospitalized after Jeep rollover accident

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-winter/">ALLISON WINTER</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>/<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee advanced a sweeping farm bill early this month, attempting to revive Congress’ stalled effort to rewrite the nation’s agriculture law the same way it’s been done for decades.

But the vote also exposed the fragile coalition that will determine whether the legislation can ever move forward.&nbsp;

Those who watch the process closely told States Newsroom they are not sure a new farm bill will be enacted, given the rupture in the traditional alliance that has in the past successfully brought together agriculture interests and anti-hunger advocates to support farm bills across party lines.

Historically, farm bills have brought together a diverse coalition of advocates and lawmakers across party lines. The arrangement dates back to the 1973 farm bill, when Congress first combined nutrition programs with farm subsidies to build a coalition strong enough to pass the legislation. The sweeping legislation now includes food and nutrition programs, energy, conservation, and rural development, as well as farm support and crop insurance.&nbsp;

Now, cuts and changes in the nation’s biggest nutrition program, which could impose major new financial burdens on states, have been made by Republicans completely outside the usual farm bill process. This added to changes Democrats made in 2022, when they skipped the farm bill and used budget reconciliation to increase funding for climate-friendly farm conservation programs — though it is the food aid cuts that have most roiled the current debate.

These recent shifts could fundamentally change how the farm bill moves through Congress, said Christopher Neubert, deputy director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University. He is also a former Democratic staffer on both the Senate Agriculture and Budget committees.

“It’s a careful balance …. but the farm bill was one thing that felt kind of certain,” Neubert said in an interview. “Now we’re entering a new period that I think does make a lot of people uneasy.”

“Unless there’s a real push to take a look at some of the serious challenges that exist and meaningfully address them, it might be very difficult to get a five-year farm bill across the finish line,” Neubert said.

The Agriculture Committee approved its version of the farm bill in a 34–17 vote March 5, following a markup that stretched more than 20 hours and featured sharp partisan disputes, particularly over the previous cuts to nutrition programs.

The legislation would set policy and funding levels for major food, agriculture and conservation programs for the next five years. The text and a title-by-title summary of the&nbsp;<a href="https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/" target="_blank">802-page bill</a>&nbsp;can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/" target="_blank">here.</a>&nbsp;

The farm bill’s five-year timeline in the past gave some certainty and planning ability to farmers and ranchers, while bringing lawmakers and stakeholders back to the table periodically to reexamine the programs.

Congress last passed a farm bill in 2018, which expired in 2023. Since then, lawmakers have kept many programs running through temporary extensions, as negotiations over new versions fell through.

In the meantime, Congress made some of the largest changes to farm bill programs outside the normal reauthorization process – a major shift that has disrupted the usual process.

Last year’s GOP spending and tax cuts package, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” reshaped nutrition funding, cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.&nbsp;

SNAP, administered by states, is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program. It provides monthly, income-based benefits to help low-income individuals and families purchase groceries. Democrats have widely criticized the changes to the program.

Even so, the House Agriculture Committee vote showed some bipartisan support.&nbsp;

Seven Democrats joined Republicans in backing the legislation: Reps. Jim Costa of California, Sharice Davids of Kansas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, Adam Gray of California, Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan and Josh Riley of New York.&nbsp;

That was slightly more bipartisan than when the committee advanced a farm bill two years ago. Only four Democrats supported a measure that included some SNAP cuts within the farm bill.

Among those crossing party lines this year was Rivet, a freshman lawmaker and member of the moderate New Democrat Coalition.

Rivet hosted a press event on March 10 at a Saginaw County farm to promote the bill, highlighting the balancing act some moderate Democrats may face if the legislation reaches the House floor in an election year.&nbsp;

“Farmers need solutions and certainty,” Rivet said, noting that she backed the bill because of provisions related to disaster relief, crop insurance and specialty crop support.

Still, she acknowledged the legislation will need changes as it moves forward.

“I was excited to be able to vote ‘yes’ on this farm bill,” Rivet said. “But I need to say that the bill is not perfect. We do need to reverse the devastating cuts to SNAP for hungry kids and families.”

The debate over SNAP and other nutrition programs loomed over much of the committee’s work and will continue to be a major factor as the legislation moves forward.&nbsp;

“The historic cuts to SNAP jeopardize the path forward for this bill and future farm bills,” Davids said during the committee debate.

Democrats offered multiple amendments to restore SNAP funding, but Republicans did not support any.

Scott Faber, senior vice president for government affairs at the liberal-leaning Environmental Working Group and a longtime farm policy advocate, said the longstanding alliance between those who back SNAP and farm supporters helped Congress pass farm bills for decades even as fewer Americans lived in rural communities.&nbsp;

But he argues that the recent policy decisions have effectively dismantled that agreement. The cuts to nutrition programs in last year’s budget reconciliation bill helped offset new investment in farm subsidies, which Faber and other advocates contend go disproportionately to large farmers and do little to support smaller farms.

“Republicans chose to blow up the farm bill coalition in the one big, beautiful bill …so if Congress fails to pass another farm bill ever again, it will be Republicans who rightfully will bear the blame,” Faber said in an interview.

Faber called the political shift around the farm bill “a historic once-in-a-generation miscalculation by the farm lobby that will, in the long run, undermine public support for the farm safety net.”

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the SNAP changes would reduce federal SNAP spending by roughly 20% through 2034 while imposing stricter work requirements and shifting some program costs to states.

Some provisions will not take effect until 2027 and 2028, meaning the full effects have yet to be felt.

The changes have drawn criticism from hunger advocates and state officials who warn the shift could strain state budgets and make it harder for families to access food assistance.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nga.org/advocacy-communications/letters-nga/nga-joins-coalition-letter-outlining-snap-recommendations/" target="_blank">recent letter,</a>&nbsp;the National Governors Association and other state and local organizations told Congress that the policy changes could throw hundreds of millions of dollars in costs onto states and risk destabilizing the program if lawmakers do not intervene.

During debate on an amendment from Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., that would have reversed the SNAP cuts, a proposal that ultimately failed, the committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, warned the longstanding farm bill coalition could be unraveling.

“We could be driving the last nail in the coffin of this coalition today,” Craig said. “For some of us, this is your first farm bill markup. For all of us, it could likely be our last, because by decimating the nutrition title in the farm bill, by splitting the food and farm programs apart as Republicans have done in this process, you have destroyed the farm bill coalition.”

Craig said a path forward for this committee’s bill would be fraught, calling it a “shell of a farm bill” that is “absolutely flawed” and “a missed opportunity” to address the economic pressures facing agriculture.

“It is going to have challenges getting broad bipartisan support on the House floor if it even makes it there,” Craig said during the markup. “My sincere hope is that this is just ‘act one’ of several acts.”

The House Agriculture Committee’s farm bill proposal, titled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, closely resembles the legislation the panel advanced two years ago.&nbsp;

That earlier bill never received a vote on the House floor, and the Senate Agriculture Committee has yet to advance its own farm bill framework.

Throughout the markup, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., urged lawmakers to support the measure. He repeatedly encouraged members to “not let the perfect be the enemy of the good” as they debated amendments to the bill’s 12 titles covering farm supports, conservation, trade, rural development and nutrition.

“I am proud of this bill and the work we have done to further improve it. There is more work to be done,” Thompson said at the conclusion of the markup, which he called a “long slog.”&nbsp;

Thompson has said he has met with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., about bringing the measure to the House floor.&nbsp;

But the legislation will likely need some Democratic support, particularly to move through the Senate, where votes to advance legislation like the farm bill typically require a 60-vote supermajority.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, said during a hearing March 10 that she hopes lawmakers can craft a bipartisan farm bill that addresses the needs of both farmers and families who rely on SNAP.

“I am hoping we can get to a better place. I hope as we look at a farm bill, that we include some corrections to what happened last summer,” Klobuchar said, referencing the “big beautiful” law.

For his part, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., said he appreciated the House effort to advance the farm bill and indicated he may want to go in a similar direction.

“This builds off the historic investments we made in the Working Families Tax Cuts to strengthen the farm safety net and provide producers with greater certainty while demonstrating unwavering support for strengthening rural communities and safeguarding our food supply,” Boozman said in a statement.&nbsp;

Farm groups are watching closely, hoping a five-year farm bill will provide some certainty farmers have lacked in recent years.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called on Congress to “finish the job and deliver a modern farm bill” and urged farmers to contact lawmakers and encourage them to advance the legislation. The Farm Bureau has 5 million members.

The National Farmers Union, which represents about 220,000 family farmers and ranchers, said it is grateful for progress on the farm bill but offered a more cautious response.

“We remain concerned that this proposal does not yet meet the scale of the crisis facing family farmers and ranchers,” NFU President Rob Larew said in a statement. “The path from committee to a final, signed farm bill is long. NFU will continue working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to strengthen this legislation.”

GOP cuts in federal food aid scramble passage of long-delayed farm bill

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Saturday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Tahoe driven by a 36-year-old Odell, Nebraska man was northbound on Interstate 29 six miles north of Country Club. The SUV traveled off the west side of the road and overturned. The driver and a 36-year-old male passenger were not wearing seat belts and were ejected.

Andrew County EMS transported both to Mosaic Life Care. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 injured after ejected in Andrew Co. rollover accident

Average gas prices are $2.92 in Kansas and $2.98 in Missouri. California tops the nation at $5.20 per gallon.

By Ashley Murray <a href="https://www.kcur.org/">Missouri Independent</a>

WASHINGTON — Americans are paying more for gas as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran chokes off a significant route for roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum products.

Global prices for Brent crude oil, the international standard, climbed over $100 a barrel. Prices were just above $70 a barrel in the days before the U.S. and Israel launched a surprise Feb. 28 attack on Iran, killing the regime’s top leader and other powerful government figures.

The spike, which peaked at $119.50 per barrel early Monday, caused ricochets throughout markets, with major stock indexes falling worldwide. Oil prices have not reached costs above $100 per barrel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55079#:~:text=Crude%20oil%20prices%20increased%20in%20the%20first,2022%20price%2C%20at%20$75/b%2C%20on%20December%208." target="_blank">since mid-2022</a>&nbsp;after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in Ukraine.

Following the Feb. 28 strikes, Iranian officials effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening and reportedly attacking vessels attempting to cross the narrow passage.

Iran’s top security official,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dw.com/en/who-is-ali-larijani-the-unofficial-strongman-in-iran/a-76202526" target="_blank">Ali Larijani</a>, reinforced on the social media platform X on Monday that vessels trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz are not guaranteed safety as the conflict continues.

“It is unlikely that any security will be achieved in the Strait of Hormuz amid the fires of the war ignited by the United States and Israel in the region,” Larijani&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2031017694468747369?s=20" target="_blank">wrote</a>.

President Donald Trump defended the price spike late Sunday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116196014942465383" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;on his online platform, Truth Social.

“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY! President DJT,” he wrote.

The national average for gasoline in the U.S. rose to $3.48 per gallon Monday, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/state-gas-price-averages/" target="_blank">AAA gasoline price survey</a>. That’s up from $3.25 per gallon on March 5, according to the survey.

AAA data shows consumers in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinois experienced the highest prices in the Midwest and eastern U.S., with average retail prices ranging from $3.52 to nearly $3.60 for a gallon of regular gas.

Western states, which tend to pay higher gas prices already, saw an average gallon of regular surpass $4. California topped the nation’s list at $5.20 per gallon.

The price to fill up in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma remained the lowest, hovering between $2.92 to $2.99. That’s up from a week ago when prices averaged $2.47 in Oklahoma, $2.57 in Kansas and $2.61 in Arkansas.

GasBuddy, a platform that helps users find the cheapest gas prices in their area, put the national average Monday of regular at $3.45, and diesel at just over $4.59.

“In just a week, consumers have seen gasoline prices surge at one of the fastest rates in years after oil prices spiked following U.S. strikes on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

De Haan added in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GasBuddyGuy/status/2030994428605640833?s=20" target="_blank">blog post</a>&nbsp;Monday that the reason behind oil prices pushing past $100 a barrel for the first time in years is “fuel markets are now rapidly recalibrating to the risk of prolonged disruption to global supply flows.”

“As a result, gasoline prices in many states could climb another 20 to 50 cents per gallon this week, with price-cycling markets potentially seeing increases as early as today,” De Haan said.

Prior to the war, average U.S. gas prices sat just under $3, with expectations for seasonal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/iran-war-drives-gas-price-uncertainty-ahead-busy-summer-season" target="_blank">increases</a>&nbsp;as warmer weather triggers more demand and refineries produce pricier summer blends.

This story was first published by States Newsroom and the Missouri Independent.

Gas prices in Kansas, Missouri are among nation's lowest as they spike amid Iran war

Among the first non-budget bills this year to pass the General Assembly targets predatory behavior toward young people and would extend the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sex trafficking from 10 to 20 years

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<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>

The Missouri House approved legislation Thursday aimed at cracking down on sex trafficking and sexual exploitation while shifting punishment away from survivors and giving first responders more training to identify and prevent the crimes.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2273&amp;year=2026&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;would increase penalties for distributing sexual images without consent, clarify that predatory conduct toward minors can be prosecuted even if no sexual contact occurs, and allow survivors of adult sex trafficking to expunge certain convictions from their records. It is sponsored by Republican state Reps. Ed Lewis of Moberly, Jeff Myers of Warrenton, Christopher Warwick of Bolivar and Burt Whaley of Clever.

The House passed the bill 134-2, after the Senate approved it unanimously on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Myers hailed the legislation as the fruit of a multi-year effort that has garnered bipartisan support.

“My hope is that we can leave here today knowing that we have accomplished something significant in the fight against modern day slavery,” Myers said.

A portion of the legislation, sponsored by Myers and Lewis,&nbsp;<a href="https://archive.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1464&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">last year</a>&nbsp;passed the House and advanced out of a Senate committee.&nbsp;

More than 50 mentions of “child pornography” in statute would be changed to “child sexual abuse material.”

Lewis told lawmakers in January that this makes clear that minors can’t consent to being depicted in porn.

“Child sexual abuse material’ indicates what it is,” Lewis said. “If a person is under the age of 18, if they’re 17 and under, they cannot provide consent.”

The legislation adds “grooming” to the state’s existing felony of enticement of a minor to clarify that actions intended to condition someone under age 18 to engage in sexual conduct do not have to culminate in sex to be a crime.&nbsp;

Online enticement reports increased by more than 300% between 2021 and 2023, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion#bythenumbers" target="_blank">National Center for Missing and Exploited Children</a>. The center received more than 456,000 reports of online enticement in the first 10 months of 2024.

The version of the bill initially presented to a House committee in January would have established grooming as a separate offense. Warwick said the sponsors worked with prosecutors to tweak state statute on enticement.

“We’ve been able to add in the grooming portions and tighten up what enticement of a child is through this new legislation,” Warwick said.

These provisions, named “Evie and Sophie’s Law” for sisters who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/20/missouri-lawmakers-signal-bipartisan-support-for-bills-to-curb-child-sexual-abuse/">recounted</a>&nbsp;to lawmakers their abuse by their Taekwondo teacher, are designed to give survivors a clear legal path against their abusers.

During hearings on the bill, Evie and Sophie’s dad, Jeff Dixon, showed lawmakers a thick binder containing “a third of the 17,000 text messages” he said were sent to his daughters by their instructor, who tried to persuade one of the teens to run away to Florida with him. Dixon said his family was told the instructor had done nothing illegal.

The offense of enticement currently carries a prison term between five and 30 years without eligibility for parole for five years. The bill would mandate a minimum sentence of 10 years when grooming resulted in a minor engaging in sex. Offenders in these cases would be ineligible for parole for 10 years.

The bill would also increase penalties for “sextortion” — the distribution of private sexual images of someone without their consent. Sextorting a minor would be a class C felony, punishable by three to 10 years in prison. Sextortion, regardless of the age of the victim, is currently punishable by up to seven years in prison.

It would make sextortion of a minor punishable by up to 10 years in prison and ramp up penalties for repeated threats of sextortion.

These provisions were named for Evan Boettler, who in 2024 took his own life at 16 after someone tricked him into sending a photo of himself online by posing as a classmate and threatened to blast it to the teen’s friends, family and community members.

Brad Boettler, Evan’s father, told lawmakers in January that he and his wife found messages on Evan’s phone demanding money, gift cards and account access, recalling a message saying, “I have your picture now. Are you ready to comply?”&nbsp;

The legislation would revive a&nbsp;<a href="https://dps.mo.gov/dir/programs/cvsu/council.php" target="_blank">statewide council</a>&nbsp;on human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children that last met in 2023, placing it permanently in the Attorney General’s Office and adding several members, including an executive director appointed by the attorney general.&nbsp;

Juvenile officers, law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys and emergency medical staff would see additional training requirements in identifying and preventing sex and human trafficking of children and adults.

The Senate removed language that would have required hotel employees to undergo annual anti-trafficking training — the only aspect of the legislation to draw pushback on Thursday.

Democratic state Rep. Pattie Mansur of Kansas City said the hotel workers’ training requirement in earlier versions had appealed to her.

“That’s a really important piece coming from Kansas City,” Mansur said. “You can imagine, with all the lodging establishments, that’s actually a really appealing part of this bill, because so much of that trafficking goes through our area lodging establishments.”

Lewis said that omitting this part of the bill “wasn’t [his] preference.”

“Is this a perfect bill?” he said. “Nothing’s perfect.”

Lewis said he might revisit some parts of the legislation for changes in future years, but he said he is overall satisfied.

“This is a long, long effort, a comprehensive bill,” Lewis said. “It’s going to make a difference in the lives of Missourians.”

Anti-sex trafficking legislation headed to Missouri governor’s desk

ATCHISON COUNTY —Police arrested a 14 year old boy on Thursday on requested charges of aggravated assault that occurred in the 1100 block North 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Just after 5p.m. Thursday, police investigated a disturbance that had occurred in a park between two boys ages 13 and 14.

During that disturbance the 14 year old threatened the 13 year old with a knife and a crowbar, according to Wilson.&nbsp; That investigation led to the arrest of the 14 year old boy. He was transported to a juvenile detention facility.

Police: Kan. boy threatened 13-year-old with knife, crowbar

Scrap Management Industries made a donation to VFW Post 6760 in St. Joseph on Friday afternoon to help with veteran relief efforts.

Director of Procurement for Scrap Management Industries, Matt McCarthy, says the $1,000 donation was inspired by wanting to give back to the community in ways that reflect the values of the company. "We look at organizations within the community that have the same values as us. The VFW has those same values; taking care of people and taking care of the community. We live here, we work here, we reinvest back into the St, Joseph community."

The donation was presented by three employees of Scrap Management Industries, including McCarthy who spent over 8 years in the Army, general manager Ken Barber who is a Marine Corp veteran, and Kylee Hager who is currently in the National Guard.

VFW Post 6760 plans to use the donation to help with veteran relief efforts throughout the St. Joseph area.

Scrap Management Industries has 19 locations throughout Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Scrap Management Industries donates to VFW Post 6760 for veteran relief efforts

Corn basis levels across much of the Eastern Corn Belt have remained relatively steady in recent weeks, while soybean basis has shown greater volatility across the region, according to a new market update from Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. 

As grain markets transition to May futures contracts, local corn bids have held firm in many areas, with particularly strong basis levels reported in parts of Indiana and Ohio. Soybean basis, however, has varied widely between regions, with some districts experiencing weaker bids as processors adjust demand. The report notes that ethanol plants have continued to offer competitive premiums for corn relative to nearby elevators, supporting local cash prices in some markets. At the same time, soybean crush plants have softened bids in several areas, contributing to the uneven soybean basis environment. 

Agricultural economists say tracking local basis remains critical for marketing decisions because regional demand from ethanol plants, processors and exporters can create significant differences in cash grain prices.

Corn Basis Holds Steady While Soybean Basis Shows Wider Swings

U.S. ethanol production increased in the latest federal report, signaling stronger demand for the corn-based biofuel as the industry enters the spring driving season. 

Production averaged about 1.126 million barrels per day during the week ending March 6, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, marking the highest output in several weeks. Higher ethanol production typically boosts demand for corn, the primary feedstock used in U.S. biofuel plants. The ethanol industry consumes roughly one-third of the nation’s corn crop each year, making production trends closely watched by grain markets and farmers. Analysts say ethanol margins have improved recently as energy prices climb and fuel demand remains steady. 

The sector also continues to benefit from strong export demand and federal renewable fuel policies supporting biofuel blending. Industry groups note that ethanol production reached record levels in 2025, highlighting the fuel’s growing role in U.S. energy markets and rural economies.

U.S. Ethanol Production Climbs to Multi-Week High

U.S. farmers are accelerating grain sales after global tensions involving Iran pushed corn, soybean and wheat prices sharply higher in recent days. 

Futures markets rallied as energy prices climbed and concerns grew about disruptions to fertilizer and fuel supplies tied to the conflict. Soybean prices reached their highest level since 2024, while corn and wheat also climbed to multi-month highs, prompting many farmers to market crops they had stored during last year’s weak price environment. Major grain traders including ADM and Bunge have increased purchases as elevators across parts of the Midwest see a wave of farmer sales, according to market analysts. 

Reuters reports higher crop prices have improved short-term cash flow for producers who struggled with declining farm income and rising production costs in recent seasons. However, analysts say the rally may offer only temporary relief as farmers continue to face elevated expenses for fertilizer, fuel and seed. The latest surge reflects how geopolitical conflicts can quickly ripple through global agricultural commodity markets.

Farmers Sell Grain as Prices Surge Amid Middle East Conflict

May corn closed up 4 3/4 cents and July corn was up 4 1/4 cents. May soybeans closed down 2 cents and July soybeans were down 2 1/2 cents. May KC wheat closed up 16 1/2 cents, May Chicago wheat was up 15 1/4 cents, May Minneapolis wheat was up 11 cents.

It was another mostly positive session for price action across U.S. row-crop futures, with a surge in wheat helping corn to reverse from early losses to trade higher as well. Soybeans drifted a touch lower but well off their lowest point by the close as buyers remain active and looking for opportunity on dips. Outside markets saw energy prices creep higher yet again, with WTI crude oil higher for the tenth time in the past 11 sessions, closing in on the $100 per barrel mark. The U.S. dollar was higher after the January Personal Consumption Expenditure report showed the highest reading in almost two years, adding more doubt to a near-term rate cut from the Federal Reserve, especially considering January data is well before the energy shock as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. CME's FedWatch tool is currently predicting steady rates until the October FOMC meeting.

The live cattle complex was mildly lower headed into Friday's close as traders are again allowing the complex to find very little technical support. Currently the spot April contract is trading above its 100-day moving average; monitoring that threshold into early next week will be vital as traders may not keep the complex above that price-point as there's not much fundamental support in the market. No new cash cattle trade has developed, but a single bid was on the table at $235 in Kansas. So far this week, Northern dressed business has been done at mostly $372, $8 lower, and Southern live business was done at mostly $235, $4 lower in Texas, and $5 lower in Kansas. It's likely trade volumes will remain light this week as there's expected to be a plant strike starting on Monday at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colorado.

The feeder cattle complex was mixed moving into Friday's closing bell, as traders seem confident allowing the contracts to scale mildly higher even though the market's fundamentals haven't been overly supportive this week. But at the day's end, it wouldn't be surprising to see the market again slip below its 100-day moving average next week as it is expected to face challenges with the potential plant strike in Colorado.

The lean hog complex was again trading lower. Although pork demand may be up slightly, the market doesn't have the technical support it needs. Helping drive the pork cutout values higher is mostly the $9.02 jump in the belly.

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Commodity markets daily recap

May corn closed up 2 1/4 cents and July corn was up 2 cents. May soybeans closed up 13 1/4 cents and July soybeans were up 12 3/4 cents. May KC wheat closed unchanged, 0 cents, May Chicago wheat was up 3 3/4 cents, May Minneapolis wheat was down 3 1/2 cents.

The soybean market continued to press higher, setting new calendar highs in early trade on Thursday before eventually relaxing off highs through the day trade. Corn futures held to modest gains despite late session pressure while wheat markets were more mixed in nature. Prices were supported by higher energy markets with the war in the Middle East raging on and thus far little indication of an easing to the conflict but held in check by immediate chart resistance to the upside. The U.S. dollar was firm and again testing topside resistance among 2026 highs and closing in on six month highs. Equity markets were sharply lower again as investors are anxious regarding what the sharp rise in energy prices could mean for the greater world economy through 2026.

Following Wednesday's lower close, the live cattle complex was back to trading mildly higher. It's not because of an uptick in fundamental support -- but rather that some light technical support has worked its way into the market and is helping drive the contracts up into Thursday's closing bell. The other supportive factor that might be adding a slight boost to the market was the marketing year high of 25,400 metric tons of beef sold in Thursday morning's export report. A single bid is on the table in Kansas at $235 but otherwise no new cash cattle trade has developed following Wednesday's business.

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