A longtime dream came true in 2025 for St. Joseph's Noah Cameron making his major league debut for the team he grew up rooting for.  

Multiple injuries to the Kansas City Royals rotation made the front office make the call to bring Cameron up from Triple A Omaha after an impressive Spring Training.   

Making his major league debut on April 30th, Cameron says he felt all the emotions you would expect to feel 

"Overwhelmed with emotion, nerves, excitement, just super amped up just to be there,” Cameron tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post at the Royals Rally.  “And I think the biggest difference was I was there to try to earn a spot to stay, it’s like hey let’s get you to the major leagues, well then they’re like hey we don’t want to get you to the major leagues, we want you to stay in the major leagues.” 

Cameron went back to Omaha after pitching a near no hitter in his debut but was called up two weeks later and never went back down finishing out the season with the Royals.

The St. Joseph Central alum, for his stellar season, was named the Royals Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year.  A trait many fans noticed from Cameron, that made him a fan favorite, was his composure on the mound. 

Cameron says that composure on the mound and ability to not let the game get away from him, comes from his competitiveness  

"Like I’d give up those runs, those home runs, and it’s immediately like not necessarily like I’m mad, it’s not necessarily frustration, like yes I’m upset I gave up a pitch to hit and he hit it, but for pitchers that’s out of our control in a sense of after we let go of the ball anything can happen, like yes can I place it in a better spot or something like that, for sure, but I think it’s just more of a competitive mode of man I gave up a solo home run, that sucked, but like I have to face this next batter and not give up another one,” Cameron explains. 

Cameron recalls a moment like this against the New York Yankees, giving up a longshot to Aaron Judge in the opening inning of the game.  Cameron didn't give up another run until the fourth inning.

Cameron finished his rookie campaign with a 9-7 record and a 2.99 ERA, posting 114 strikeouts, and coming fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting. 

Now in his second Royals Spring Training camp, Cameron says he's excited for this year in Surprise, Arizona to feel different 

"Excited to not have to push over the edge, where I feel like last Spring Training I was trying to earn a spot, so I was coming in guns blazing, throwing as hard as I possibly could to show them hey I want this spot really bad,” Cameron says.  “And now, thankfully, we’re like hey let’s prepare you to be 100% ready come end of March, instead of being 100% ready at the middle of February, so excited to just come in, still just compete my butt off and fight everyday with the guys.” 

Cameron could likely have a rotation spot locked up, but will compete with pitchers such as Bailey Falter, Ryan Bergert, and Stephen Kolek this spring. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.

After stellar '25, St. Joseph's Noah Cameron ready to turn it up for Royals in '26

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce helped Moony's Coffee celebrate a ribbon-cutting Friday morning.

Co-owners Liz Generaux and Maggie Johnson say they are excited for the business to be part of the community. "It's been such a surreal experience to do this. And we're so excited to start a community downtown with coffee and friends."

The coffee shop is a women-owned business that’s locally sourced. Flavors are homemade to ensure quality ingredients and taste. Johnson adds, "We use a couple different roasters, Global Citizens and also Burr Roasters in Leavenworth. We also just hired five employees to help with the coffee shop."

The grand opening is officially Saturday, Feb 14. Moony's Coffee will be open from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. that day.

Regular hours will be 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Saturday hours will be 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The business is closed Thursdays and Sundays.

It was noted that after the grand opening on Saturday, Moony's will be closed the week of Feb. 16 for ongoing construction. Generaux says they hope to be open the week after.

Moony's Coffee is located at 510 Edmond St.

St. Joseph Chamber holds ribbon-cutting for Moony's Coffee

The St. Joseph Mustangs have revealed three new additions to their 2026 roster.

New additions include Brayden Luikart, Aron Harrington, and Boston Bruce. 

Luikart, a former MVP, is returning for his third season with the team after a successful year at Missouri Southern. Harrington, a senior at Southeastern University, will also be back after a strong 2025 season. Bruce, a sophomore at Johnson County College, will be playing his first season with the Mustangs this summer. 

The team has also confirmed the return of Chris Coy, Gage Busby, and Michael Infranca for the upcoming season, which is set to begin on May 27th.&nbsp;

St. Joseph Mustangs add three players to 2026 roster

Traffic signal upgrades are set to close access to and from Messanie Street at Belt Highway in St. Joseph beginning Monday, Feb 16. 

RS Electric, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will be completing traffic signal upgrades at the intersection through March 8.

MoDOT says the upgrades will include replacing the current southbound Belt traffic signal mast arm with a longer one, allowing for the addition of a dedicated left-turn signal. During the project all left-turn signals will be upgraded to flashing yellow arrows.

MoDOT asks drivers to work with crews by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.

Traffic signal upgrades at Belt & Messanie in St. Joseph to begin Monday

The Bushman Planetarium at Missouri Western State University will host public screenings of “Hubble Vision 2” and “Extreme Planets” at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21.

Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for children 13 and under, students, university employees, military members, and seniors 60 and older. All tickets must be purchased in advance, either online or at Agenstein Hall, room 140, during regular business hours.

Located in Agenstein Hall, room 147, the Bushman Planetarium features a Digistar 4 projection system. The facility utilizes a slightly tilted dome for easier viewing and a Dolby 5.1 surround sound system.

For more information, contact the planetarium at 816-271-4288.

Bushman Planetarium at MoWest presents public shows Feb. 20 - 21

UPDATE: The Nodaway County Sheriff's Office has issued an update that all suspects are now in custody following a vehicle pursuit out of Iowa. 

Subject 1 - red\maroon jacket with black pants.

Subject 2 - black hoodie with white logo on the back. Wearing gold shoes.

Subject 3 - wearing white and black jacket. It is white from the shoulders up. Black from the shoulders down with black pants. 

The vehicle pursuit ended on the east side of Maryville near 71 and 136. Suspects fled the location on foot. Suspect names were not available.

The Nodaway County Sheriff's Office advises residents to keep homes locked and call with any suspicious activity.

UPDATE: All suspects now in custody in Nodaway County following vehicle pursuit out of Iowa

KFEQ Morning Sports

City of St. Joseph offices will be closed In observance of Presidents' Day on Monday, Feb. 16.

Exceptions include the REC Center remaining open and the landfill will have abbreviated hours from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

City offices will reopen for normal operating hours the following day.

City of St. Joseph offices to close for President's Day

DAVIESS COUNTY —A Missouri girl was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Thursday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Arctic Cat 650 driven by a 12-year-old Gallatin girl was southbound in a private field on Ridge Avenue at 248th Street two miles southeast of Gallatin. The driver turned sharply and the vehicle rolled and the vehicle landed on her leg.

A private vehicle transported the girl to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

12-year-old Mo. girl injured in ATV accident

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will help two businesses celebrate accomplishments Friday.

Moony's Coffee will celebrate its grand opening Feb. 13 at 9:30 a.m., located at 510 Edmond St. Moony’s Coffee is a women-owned business that’s locally sourced through Global Citizen Coffee Roasters. Flavors are homemade to ensure quality ingredients and taste.

Commerce Trust will then celebrate its move to a new office. For more than a century,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.commercetrustcompany.com/locations/st-joseph-missouri">Commerce Trust</a>&nbsp;has been a provider of investment management, financial planning, trust and private banking services. The ceremony will be at noon on Friday, at 3303 Ashland Ave.

St. Joseph Chamber to hold ribbon-cutting events Friday for two businesses

The St. Joseph School District's Board of Education has approved a one year contract extension for Superintendence Ashly McGinnis. 

At the February 9th Executive Session, the Board of Education voted to approve the one-year extension for McGinnis.&nbsp; The original contract was set to conclude at the end of the 2027-28 school year.&nbsp;

McGinnis' contract will now extend through the 2028-29 school year, ending on June 30th, 2029.&nbsp;

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

McGinnis' contract extended by SJSD Board of Education

The first Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor of 2026 shows the U.S. ag economy entered the year in a clear crop-sector recession. However, the survey also finds a deeper crisis of confidence. Economists say the downturn is cyclical and manageable through optimization, but farmers are experiencing it as a structural stress test on their operations and livelihoods. The first survey points to a continuing split in the ag economy, which is strength in livestock, particularly beef cattle, versus persistent financial stress across most of the row-crop sector. 

The Monthly Monitor asks respondents to compare the ag economy right now with the same time a year ago, and most retailers, producers, and economists report being somewhat worse off. “Across nearly all responses, margin pressure emerged as a dominant concern,” said Tyne Morgan of AgWeb. “While several producers talk about diversifying as a key, others responded with cutting costs to the bone, especially around capital spending.” 

Survey shows producers “fighting for survival”

According to data from Joe Janzen, an economist for the University of Illinois, The buildout of grain storage capacity in the U.S. has stopped.  He wrote that U.S. grain storage capacity grew in parallel with production from 2000 to 2019 at about 350 million bushels per year. However, that growth has stagnated since 2020 across all regions and facility types. Janzen said this stagnation, combined with continued production growth, has led to a record-high-capacity utilization rate, particularly in on-farm storage. 

The 2025 crop brought these tensions to a head, with December 1 on-farm utilization reaching 80 percent. What’s less clear is why investment in grain storage capacity dropped. It’s also difficult to determine if current U.S. storage capacity is sufficient for efficient operation along the grain supply chains. Janzen said, “The entire grain industry will need to consider these questions as it addresses the shifting geography of global grain production.” 

U.S. grain storage capacity growth has stopped

March corn closed up 3 3/4 cents and May corn was up 5 1/4 cents. March soybeans closed up 13 1/4 cents and May soybeans were up 12 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed up 15 1/2 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 15 1/4 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 7 1/4 cents.

It was a mostly positive session across the board for row-crop futures Thursday, with soybean futures again leading the way higher on continued trade optimism ahead of President Trump's upcoming visit to China in April. Meanwhile, wheat futures have caught a midweek burst, rallying from trendline support and aided by a strong past few weeks for export sales. This positively influenced corn futures as well for Thursday, with strong export sales in their own right. Outside markets were very volatile on Thursday, with no clear macro news to explain the sharp turn lower in stocks by late morning. Treasuries were firm again following Wednesday's better than expected jobs data for January. The U.S. dollar was firm, but energy markets turned lower on U.S. inventory build-ups in crude and finished motor gasoline last week, and at least a temporary soothing of supply risk as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are planned to continue.

Following Wednesday's sizeable rally, the live cattle complex was back to trading slightly lower as the market tries to patiently wait to see what's going to develop in the fed cash cattle market this week. With boxed beef prices declining -- as they seasonally do during this time -- traders need to see additional fundamental support, which will likely come from the cash market when trade develops at some point this week. But in the lightning fast world we live in, waiting until the very bitter end of the week to see what's going to develop fundamentally for the market is a painful waiting lesson traders aren't necessarily fond of. Boxed beef prices are lower: choice down $0.39 ($365.53) and select down $0.59 ($361.99) with a movement of 46 loads (24.40 loads of choice, 3.08 loads of select, 7.95 loads of trim and 10.72 loads of ground beef).

And as one would logically assume in this market, with the live cattle contracts trading lower, the feeder cattle contracts followed suit. Demand has been mostly strong this week in the countryside for both feeder cattle and calves -- and especially for cattle that will make yearlings this upcoming summer.

The lean hog complex continues to tumble lower as the market anticipates a wall of supply that's likely going to hit the market at any point in time now. The latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report showed market-ready supplies were larger than originally assumed, and the market is bracing itself for that supply to hit.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/12200936/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

Commodity markets daily recap

The USDA is facing some doubts about the reliability of its data from farmers, grain traders, and economists. Reports say the doubts are coming about because of the agency’s significant staff losses and the sharp upward revision in how many acres of corn U.S. farmers harvested in 2025. “Thousands of employees left the agency last year as a part of the administration’s push to shrink the federal government, and industry stakeholders are worried that the shrinking staff limited the agency’s ability to produce timely and accurate data.”  

USDA’s final January estimates of how many acres corn farmers planted and harvested in 2025 represented unprecedented increases from June’s initial estimates. Already-low grain prices dropped over five percent at a time when growers were already struggling to make enough money to stay in business. The unexpected revisions prompted the National Agricultural Statistics Service to launch an internal review of its processes for making acreage estimates.

USDA data under increasing scrutiny

It’s well-known that the U.S. cattle herd continues to shrink. The January U.S. Cattle Inventory report showed the total inventory at 86.2 million head on January 1. That was down 300,000 head from last year. American Farm Bureau analysis showed the combination of fewer beef cows and a declining calf crop means the 2026 calf crop will likely continue to trend downward because there are fewer calves available for the breeding herd, even if more heifers are kept for breeding purposes. 

Tighter cattle supplies will contribute to higher prices and volatility for cattle and beef in 2026. Smaller cattle supplies paired with strong consumer demand for beef have driven up prices for both cattle and beef. With cattle supplies this tight, markets have become more responsive to news and events that could impact supply and demand. Beef cattle cash receipts have been one of the few bright spots in the U.S. agricultural economy. 

AFBF: Smaller cattle herd means market volatility

March corn closed down 1 1/4 cents and May corn was down 3/4 cent. March soybeans closed up 1 1/2 cents and May soybeans were up 2 cents. March KC wheat closed up 8 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 9 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was up 2 cents.

Row-crop trade was quiet at midweek with wheat futures leading the way higher after successfully holding above trendline support early in the week. Meanwhile, soybeans recovered from early losses to extend the rally while corn futures were sluggish despite larger-than-expected cuts to U.S. stocks in Tuesday's WASDE report, with a seven-year high forecast for reserves still weighing on price potential. Outside markets leaned mostly positive with firm energy markets amid lingering geopolitical risks as negotiations continue between the U.S. and Iran regarding the latter's nuclear program. In other news for Wednesday, January jobs data was much better than expected, with a cut to the unemployment rate and a surge in job creation. This in turn pressured Treasuries and raised yields as the slowing job market through the final few months of 2025 had been an argument for lowering interest rates.

It's almost as if the overarching theme in the live cattle complex as we headed into Wednesday's noon hour was, "Why are we waiting around? We know the market's direction is higher." So where does all this support come from this morning? Good question, because boxed beef prices were mostly lower, there's yet to be any trade in the fed cash cattle market, and the equity markets aren't doing anything that would justify trading notably higher. But if there's one thing we know and understand about the livestock complex, it's that it is an anticipatory market. If traders think the market is bound to trade substantially higher, one may ask, "Why not today?" and they followed through finishing fully higher. Still no trade has developed in the fed cash cattle market and both bids and asking prices remain elusive at this point. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $0.41 ($367.14) and select up $1.19 ($364.09) with a movement of 53 loads (45.12 loads of choice, 3.38 loads of select, zero loads of trim and 4.62 loads of ground beef).

Upon seeing the live cattle contracts trading higher, it didn't take much convincing to get the feeder cattle futures to move higher also. Sales have been noticeably stronger this week in the countryside for both feeder cattle and calves as supplies remain incredibly thin.

Meanwhile the lean hog complex is the same story Wednesday that it's been over the last couple of days as the market continued to scale lower. And with pork cutout values down slightly, the market won't likely change its direction until that is corrected.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/11140419/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

A new American Farm Bureau Market Intel Report said Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row, reaching 315 filings in 2025, a 46 percent increase from 2024. The Midwest and Southeast filed 121 and 105 Chapter 12 cases, respectively, far outpacing any other regions. Deep crop losses across commodities common in those two regions have compounded after years of declining receipts and rising expenses. 

Filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy is a last resort for farmers who have incurred large debts to continue operating with increased flexibility for payments. Midwest states with double-digit filings include Iowa with 18, Nebraska 17, Missouri and Wisconsin each had 16 filings, Minnesota with 13, and Kansas had 11. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said farmers are taking out larger operating loans and taking longer to repay them. USDA estimates that total farm debt will rise 5.2 percent to a record $624.7 billion this year. 

Farm bankruptcies continued climbing in 2025

The USDA announced the enrollment periods for agricultural producers and landowners to submit offers for the Continuous and General Conservation Reserve Program. The Farm Service Agency is accepting offers for Continuous CRP starting this Thursday, February 12, through March 20, 2026. Enrollment for the General CRP will run from March 9, 2026, through April 17, 2026. FSA will announce the dates for the Grassland CRP signup in the near future. 

“We’re still very close to the 27-million-acre statutory cap, with 1.9 million acres available for all CRP enrollments this fiscal year, so enrollment is likely to be competitive,” said Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Programs and Conservation. “It’s not about the total number of enrolled acres, it’s about producers and landowners offering the acres that can best deliver real and lasting benefits to soil, water, and wildlife.” Producers and landowners interested in participating in CRP should contact their local FSA county office. 

USDA announces enrollment periods for 2026 continuous and general CRP 

March corn closed unchanged and May corn was up a 1/4 cent. March soybeans closed up 11 3/4 cents and May soybeans were up 12 1/2 cents. March KC wheat closed up 1 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was down a 1/2 cent, March Minneapolis wheat was down 2 1/4 cents.

Soybean futures led the way higher on Tuesday, resuming rallying efforts after a brief pause on Monday. Meanwhile, corn and wheat markets were mixed as USDA made very few changes to U.S. and global balance sheets but did reiterate multi-year highs in grain reserves. Outside markets were mixed for Tuesday with softer energy markets, while the U.S. dollar recovered from the turn lower on Monday.

In trying to wait patiently for the week's fundamentals to shine through the marketplace, the live cattle complex was mixed for the bulk of the session before finishing lower, as traders simply aren't willing to advance the market at this point without first seeing fundamental reassurance develop. It's quite likely the market could enter a sideways trading range until it sees what the fed cash cattle market is going to accomplish this week. Traders don't want to pressure the market's resistance from a technical standpoint, but at the same time they believe in the market's long-term, bullish fundamental outlook, which is why a sideways trend is most likely to be the theme throughout the remainder of the week and until cash cattle begin to trade. Tuesday's WASDE report shared a fruitful outlook for the cattle and beef markets of 2026. Beef production for 2026 was increased by 185 million pounds as fed cattle slaughter is expected to increase, cow slaughter is expected to increase, and carcass weights are obviously higher. Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice up $2.24 ($370.00) and select down $0.82 ($364.53) with a movement of 74 loads (53.35 loads of choice, 4.31 loads of select, 4.17 loads of trim and 11.88 loads of ground beef).

Without a strong presence seen in the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts were also trading mixed into Tuesday's noon hour, before fading and finishing lower. But what remains interesting about the feeder cattle market's behavior is the deferred contracts aren't concerned about what the live cattle contracts are doing and instead traded fully higher, seeming more focused on the market's long-term situation of short supplies for the bulk of today's session.

The lean hog complex was again trading lower as the market seems to be anticipating increased supplies that are soon to hit the market. The last quarterly Hogs and Pigs report unveiled more market-ready supplies than what the industry anticipated, and there were plenty of hogs noted in the heavy weight categories which will meet the consumer in the supply chain at any point in time now. But what also remains true is that while the futures complex may be scaling lower, pork demand over the last two weeks has been noticeably stronger, which one may logically assume is because some consumers are electing to purchase pork as opposed to beef as it's a cheaper protein option.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2026/02/10143131/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new federal registration for low-volatility Dicamba herbicides in 34 states. This registration will enable U.S. farmers to have access to this important weed control tool in Dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. Bayer is launching the new registration as Stryax Dicamba herbicide, a restricted-use pesticide. “With a federal registration in hand, we’ll begin the process of seeking state approvals,” said Dr. Ty Witten, Bayer’s vice president of commercial stewardship. ”In the weeks ahead, we’ll launch applicator training opportunities and stewardship education to help ensure that growers and applicators have the best experience possible.” 

The registration will enable the use of approved low-volatility Dicamba herbicides in-crop up to seven days pre-harvest in XtendFlex cotton, and up through R1 in XtendFlex soybeans. Bayer said Stryax is intended to help manage glyphosate-resistant broadleaf weeds, as well as other tough-to-control weeds. 

EPA announces new low-volatility Dicamba herbicides

CARIBBEAN SEA --The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) announced on Thursday, the death of a Marine who was lost at sea, while conducting operations in the Caribbean, according to a media release.

Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, was declared deceased on Feb. 10, 2026. He was reported falling overboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) on the evening of Feb. 7 and was the subject of an extensive, around‑the‑clock 72‑hour search and rescue operation.

"We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family," said Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd MEU (SOC). "The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will be profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten."

The declaration followed the conclusion of the 72‑hour search and rescue operation on Feb. 10. The multi‑branch effort covered a wide search area and involved a range of assets, including five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid‑hull inflatable boat, and ten aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force—all supported by National Technical Means.

The nonstop search and rescue operation included hundreds of flight hours, extensive aviation support, and search efforts from USS Iwo Jima’s 7‑meter small‑boat and surface rescue swimmer teams. Aircraft involved in the search included six helicopters (two U.S. Navy MH‑60 Sierras, two MH‑60 Romeos, one U.S. Marine Corps AH‑1Z Viper, and one UH‑1Y Venom); one U.S. Navy P‑8 Poseidon; two U.S. Air Force HC‑130J Combat King IIs; and one U.S. Air Force MQ‑9 Reaper.Lance Cpl. Oforah was an infantry rifleman. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in Oct. 2023 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, in Feb. 2024. He completed the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. At the time of his death, he was deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd MEU (SOC), aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.&nbsp;

Marine becomes first American to die in drug boat targeting operation

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Out of an abundance of caution School Resource Officers initiated a lockout – allowing no one to exit or enter – four Lawrence Public Schools Thursday afternoon, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.

Officers were investigating a potential threat. Police were called to 19th and Massachusetts because someone said a man was acting strangely and might have a gun. Another person heard the same man say there was going to be a mass-shooting at Lawrence High School.

Patrol officers immediately began searching for the man.  The School Resource Officers quickly worked to secure LHS and three nearby schools – Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, Cordley Elementary School, and Schwegler Elementary School.

The lockout began shortly after 1pm.  Patrol officers continued their search for the man and found him in the 900 block of Vermont.  He was extremely combative.  Officers were forced to restrain the man to get him into a van, then transported him to the Douglas County Correctional Facility.

He faces several potential charges including possession of drug paraphernalia. He was not in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest.  

The schools were able to open back up for a regular dismissal.

4 Kan. schools locked out while police investigate potential threat

The measure would remove the sunset from Missouri’s 2023 restrictions, permanently barring doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors

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>

The Missouri House passed legislation Thursday that would permanently bar doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to transgender minors, sending the bill to the Senate for approval.

Lawmakers voted along party lines with 102 Republicans in favor and 40 Democrats voting against the bill. Democratic state Reps. Chanel Mosley from Black Jack and Stephanie Boykin of Florissant voted “present.”

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge, said during debate on Monday that she supports a “watchful waiting” approach to gender dysphoria in adolescents, advocating for counseling over medical intervention.

“Children become confused in many areas of their lives,” she said. “They have many questions throughout their years of development, and we have a responsibility to speak the truth.”

Since passing the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/10/missouri-house-sends-bill-banning-transgender-health-care-for-minors-to-governor/">restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors in 2023</a>, Missouri lawmakers have filed bills every year seeking to remove the law’s expiration date. Last year, the proposal was approved at the committee level and rolled into a 108-page Senate bill that sought to modify the sunsets of a variety of laws. The legislation ultimately stalled in the House.

House Republicans echoed a desire to “protect children,” citing recent statements by medical groups&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/plastic-surgeons-group-delay-gender-affirming-surgery-age-19-rcna257607" target="_blank">recommending against gender-affirming surgeries</a>&nbsp;for youth.

The bill wouldn’t change the state’s ban on gender affirming surgeries for those under 18, which was enacted without a sunset in 2023. It would only impact access to cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers, which Democrats argued should not be regulated by the state’s legislature.

“Why are we so focused on inserting ourselves in the living rooms of Missourians all across the state,” said state Rep. Marty Joe Murrary, a St. Louis Democrat. “When a child and a parent, they have a right to make a decision about the health care decisions for people in their household. Why are we better able to dictate that than themselves and their medical professional?”

State Rep. Jeff Hales, a Democrat from University City, called the legislation an “overreach” Thursday.

“By passing this, we are telling parents that the state knows better than they do on how to care for their own flesh and blood,” he said. “We are telling doctors that their years of medical expertise are secondary to our desires to scapegoat and target a vulnerable minority.”

When the law passed in 2023, three Republicans voted against the restrictions, including House Speaker Jon Patterson, a doctor from Lee’s Summit.

He was not in the chamber for the bill’s debate Monday, pointed out Democratic state Rep. Keri Ingle who is also from Lee’s Summit and is expected to run against Patterson for an open seat in the Missouri Senate, should both win their party’s nomination

“He voted no on this bill, because he at that time believed that it wasn’t in the state’s best interest to stop medical care,” she said.

Thursday, as the bill got its final stamp of approval in the House, Patterson voted in favor of removing the sunset.

The country’s largest medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association, continue to support the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for those under 18 to medically transition.

Permanent ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors clears Missouri House

Four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched at 5:15 a.m. EST Friday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled a Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/people/jessica-u-meir/">Jessica Meir</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-astronaut-jack-hathaway/">Jack Hathaway</a>, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.

“With Crew-12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation, and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth. I’m grateful to the NASA and SpaceX teams whose discipline, rigor, and resilience made today’s launch possible. We undertake these missions with a clear understanding of risk, managing it responsibly so we can continue expanding human presence in low Earth orbit while preparing for our next great leap to the Moon and onward to Mars.”

During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA’s live coverage resumes at 1:15 p.m. Saturday on&nbsp;<a href="https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/nasas-spacex-crew-12-arrival-welcome-remarks/">NASA+</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/livetv/ref=atv_hm_liv_LRad2e3b_slct?serviceToken=v0_Cl0KJGUwMTYwNTQwLWU2NjMtNGE1OC05MDczLTZiMmRmYjI5NWMyNRDwyY266jIaLExpNitvL2dzaDBoR0NjVGdhVGdLTHptYkF6dHpuZ29zb2VJMDZ6YWhmZEk9IAESBmZpbHRlchgBIgRob21lKgRsaXZlWj8KDGxpbmVhckZpbHRlchIvCi1hbXpuMS1wdi1saW5lYXItbGl2ZV90YWItZmlsdGVyLWxlYXJuX2V4cGxvcmV6AIIBBjAAUABwAA%3D%3D">Amazon Prime</a>, and the agency’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/nasa">YouTube</a>&nbsp;channel with rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening. After docking, the crew will change out of their spacesuits and prepare cargo for offload before opening the hatch between Dragon and the space station’s Harmony module around 5 p.m. NASA also will provide coverage of the welcome ceremony aboard the space station shortly following hatch opening.

Learn how to watch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/general/watch-nasa-programming/">NASA content</a>&nbsp;through a variety of platforms, including social media.

Meir, Hathaway, Adenot, and Fedyaev will join the Expedition 74 crew, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev already aboard the orbiting laboratory, returning the space station to its standard seven crew members complement following the Jan. 14&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-spacex-crew-11-mission-returns-splashes-down-off-california/">departure</a>&nbsp;of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission.

During its mission, Crew-12 will conduct scientific research to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasas-spacex-crew-12-to-study-adaptation-to-altered-gravity/">prepare for human exploration</a>&nbsp;beyond low Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth. Participating crew members will study&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9160">pneumonia-causing bacteria</a>&nbsp;to improve cardiovascular treatments, on-demand&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8593">intravenous fluid generation</a>&nbsp;for future space missions, and research on how physical characteristics may&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9473">affect blood flow</a>&nbsp;during spaceflight. Other experiments include automated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9518">plant health monitoring</a>&nbsp;and investigations of plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8301">interactions</a>&nbsp;to enhance food production in space.

Crew-12 is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which provides reliable access to space, maximizing the use of the station for research and development, and supporting future missions beyond low Earth orbit by partnering with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

🎥New astronauts launch to Space Station after medical evacuation

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

Just after 5:30p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to 20th and Monroe on a sound of shots call in the area. 911 received multiple additional calls of sound of shots and eventually one call reporting a shooting victim down in a wooded area of a series of vacant lots in the 2000 block of Monroe.

On arrival officers made their way into the vacant lots and located a male shooting victim unresponsive there. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over aid. They eventually declared the victim deceased here at the scene.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Preliminary indication indicates the shooting occurred on 20th street between Askew and Monroe and the victim then ran to the south where he was located.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or possible suspect details.

KCPD: Victim ran from shooting and died in a vacant lot

SHAWNEE COUNTY–Law enforcement investigating a school threat in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just after 6:30a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call regarding an online social media threat involving Eisenhower Middle School, 3305 SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.. No other schools are involved in this incident.

On Wednesday, Topeka Police working jointly with the FBI to determine the credibility of the online threat arrested a 16-year-old boy on requested charges of criminal threat and criminal use of weapons.

16-year-old accused of online threat against Kan. middle school

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a townhome in Kansas City.

Just before 1:30p.m. Thursday, Kansas City Fire Department companies&nbsp;were dispatched to a reported fire in the 7600 block of E 79th&nbsp;Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, crews reported a 1-story townhome with heavy fire showing. An offensive fire attack was initiated with 2 hose lines advanced into the structure. Searches throughout were performed and reported all clear. 

The fire was brought under controlat 1:41 p.m. Red Cross has been requested to assist with 1 adult. There were no injuries reported.

Red Cross assisting 1 victim after KC townhome fire

The FBI is increasing its reward up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance, according to media release from the agency's office in Phoenix.

New identifying details about the suspect in the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie have been confirmed after a forensic analysis of the doorbell camera footage by the FBI’s Operational Technology Division.

The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9” - 5’10” tall, with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.

We hope this updated description will help concentrate the public tips we are receiving. Since February 1, 2026, the FBI has collected over 13,000 tips from the public related to this case.

Every tip is reviewed for credibility, relevance, and information that can be acted upon by law enforcement. Threat Intake Examiners at the National Threat Operations Center (NTOC) and FBI personnel are supporting a 24-hour command post in which dozens of agents and investigators are assigned leads and tips to action each shift.

FBI releases description of Guthrie kidnapping suspect; reward increased

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is in jail after his girlfriend’s young child shot herself with his unsecured firearm this week.. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2808/TaylorSyncere-Complaint-Packet-1">Syncere Taylor</a>, 19,&nbsp;&nbsp;faces one count of 1st Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class B felony carrying up to 15 years in prison, according to&nbsp; Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

According to court records, Sugar Creek police responded to a residence on Feb. 9 regarding a shooting. Taylor told officers someone had been shot in the apartment. Officers found a toddler inside the residence suffering from a gunshot wound to her abdomen.&nbsp;

In an interview with detectives, Taylor told officers that he was walking down the hallway when he heard a gunshot. When he entered the master bedroom, he found the toddler lying on the bed with a gunshot wound. He confirmed his firearm had been left on the bed in the master bedroom.

The toddler was listed in stable condition.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

Toddler shot herself with gun left on bed at KC home

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement have arrested four suspects after a drug bust in Dickinson County.

In January of 2026, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit began an investigation into the distribution of Methamphetamine in Enterprise, Kansas. The approximate month-long investigation, resulted in arrests and seizure of illicit narcotics, according to a media release from the Dickinson County Sheriff.

On February 11, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the 200 Block of South Garfield Street in Enterprise, Kansas. A search of the residence revealed Methamphetamine, Drug Paraphernalia, Cocaine, Marijuana, and other controlled substances.

Alexandria Houk, 37, of Enterprise, Kansas was arrested and booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of Possession of Fentanyl with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp

Leon Houk, 41, of Enterprise, Kansas was arrested and booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of Possession of Fentanyl with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp

Robert Quist, 57, of Enterprise, Kansas was arrested and booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Dorothea Bishop, 68, of Enterprise, Kansas was arrested and booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Fentanyl dealer jailed after Kansas drug bust

The Kansas City Royals have added to their bullpen competition in Spring Training, trading a non roster invitee to the A's for a former Rule 5 pick who was recently designated for assignment.&nbsp;

The Royals acquired right-handed pitcher Mitch Spence from the A's in exchange for&nbsp;right-handed pitcher A.J. Causey.&nbsp;&nbsp;To make room on the 40-man roster for Spence, the Royals placed right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh on the 60-day Injured List.

Spence pitched the last two seasons with the Athletics. Prior to the 2024 season, he was selected first overall from the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft and spent his entire Major League debut season on the A’s roster, making 35 appearances (24 starts). He made his 1st 11 appearances in relief, before moving to the starting rotation in May.

In 2025 with the Athletics, Spence made 32 appearances ( eight starts). He made his first 22 appearances in relief, during which he posted a 4.38 ERA, giving up 19 earned runs in 39 innings pitched. He moved into the starting rotation on June 5th and made seven starts before being optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. He remained there until returning to the big league team on September 10th.

Over two big league seasons, Spence has pitched 236 innings, issuing just 70 walks. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2019 Draft.

Causey was in his first big league camp with the Royals this spring, after going 11-5 with nine saves in 48 appearances last season between High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas, and pitched to a 1.72 ERA. Causey made nine appearances for Surprise in the 2025 Arizona Fall League and had a 7.45 ERA. He was originally selected by Kansas City in the 5th round of the 2024 Draft.

Royals add to bullpen depth trading for Mitch Spence from A's

KFEQ Morning Sports 

It felt like a playoff environment in the middle of the regular season, as the Southside and the Northside took over Benton High School, for what could potentially be the final ever matchup between Benton and Lafayette.&nbsp; 

As the St. Joseph School District shifts to a two high school model next school year, Benton and Central will remain the lone high schools, while Lafayette will become a middle school, meaning this classic rivalry of Southside and Northside pride, will be no more come this fall.&nbsp; Even with still a chance these two teams could meet in the actual playoffs, the fans treated this like it was their playoffs with the atmosphere that was created.

The atmosphere surrounding the rivalry is nothing new.&nbsp; In fact, Benton girls head coach Rebecca Bailey whose been a part of this for some time, formerly as an assistant coach but also a parent, says there's nothing like the atmosphere this game creates.&nbsp;

"I wish I had an atmosphere like this when I was playing in high school, this is I feel like super awesome for these kids, Northside and Southside, fans from the north, fans from the south, best fans in the world and fans in St. Joe," Bailey tells reporters.&nbsp; "And so I love the fact that both sides came out and supported these girls tonight and having it loud and having everyone there and cheering you on, I'm super excited for the girls they got to play in that, it's a very awesome atmosphere."

"And if you've never played it in or never experienced it, it's something you can't really put into words unless you're there and you get to experience it yourself and it's just super awesome, I think the community did a great job of coming in and supporting these girls."

Unlike in their matchup back on January 16th in the Kearney Tournament championship, Benton got off to a slow start, and it was Lafayette that took over the first quarter, getting out to an early 16-5 lead on the Cardinals.&nbsp; But in the second quarter, Benton found their footing and made adjustments, finding holes in the defense as senior Eliana Arambula scored 12 of her team leading 25 points in the quarter, to narrow the gap to one point, leaving Benton trailing 26-25 at halftime.&nbsp;

The Cardinals continued to take over the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Irish 12-4 to move their lead to 37-30, before Arambula again took over in the final quarter scoring the remaining 13 points, with Benton also getting buckets from Jenna Cox and Jalynn Brown, on way to a 54-42 victory.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Arambula says the rally in the final three quarters, after the slow start was just taking advantage of the opportunities that Lafayette was giving to them.

"There's holes in every defense and we were able to figure those out, so if it takes a quarter, I mean obviously we don't like it to take a quarter, but if it does focusing on figuring it out in the next three quarters is the biggest thing," Arambula says.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Arambula led with 25 points while Brown scored 11.&nbsp; For Lafayette, Emery Omon led with 16 points and Katana Bigham added nine, while Rozlyn McDevitt chipped in eight.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To no surprise, the atmosphere carried right into the boys game, feeling very similar to last year's Class 4 District 16 championship game when these two teams met on the same court.&nbsp; It's a rivalry and an atmosphere though, that goes even farther back for Benton head coach Jared Boone.

"The rivalry's been a big part of my life, I've played in it, grew up in it, still followed it after my career, and now coaching in it, it's been fun," Boone says.&nbsp; "A lot of stories, a lot of friendships, a lot of memories, just hanging out with some of the guys back in the day during my time, Charlie McDonald, Antoine Wilkinson, Ronnie Grant, and those guys before games and then coming down here and competing with them and then going and hanging out with them again after games, and those are still guys that I still see to this day."&nbsp;

"And Darrell Hughes, his son is a freshman here that's on our freshman team, and so it's just kind of cool to have those full circle moments and now seeing the kids go through the rivalry now and what has become the past few years, it's just fun to be a part of and fun to see, and we look forward to it."'

In many ways like the girls, the Benton boys got off to a slow start against Lafayette, in a very fast moving first quarter, the Cardinals holding a narrow 14-11 lead at the end of one.&nbsp; In the second quarter though, again like the girls, Benton made their adjustments, and went on a 12-0 run before the Irish could score, pulling away at the halftime break 26-17.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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