President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former
Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy as his choice to be the next Secretary of
Transportation, choosing Duffy over northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves
and others on a short list.

Graves, the Republican chair of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, says he’s ready to help Duffy if
he wins confirmation as Transportation Secretary.

“Sean’s a friend of mine and I think he will do
fine in the position,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “He’s obviously going
to need some help and I’m ready and willing to jump in if he needs any help at
all.”

Graves had been named by media outlets as one of
the names on a short list of candidates for the next Transportation Secretary.
Graves, in an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post, had disclosed that he had
been in talks with the transition team for the president-elect.

“I am disappointed a little bit, but that’s fine.
That’s the way it works. And it’s the president’s decision,” Graves says. “You
serve at his will and so that’s who he chose and so I support him.”

Graves has served on the House Transportation
Committee since first winning election to Congress in 2000. He worked his way
up to ranking member of the minority, receiving the chairmanship when
Republicans won the majority in the United States House. Republican Caucus
rules would force him to relinquish the chairmanship, but he has made an appeal
to Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the seat, which would retain Graves’ role as a
leader in transportation policy on Capitol Hill.

“There is a chance and that’s something that I’m
continuing to talk to him (Speaker Johnson) and other members of the steering
committee on,” Graves says. “And it’s still a possibility.”

Graves hopes the Trump administration returns the
Department of Transportation to its traditional role.

“The department has got to get away from this
environmental justice and these woke policies and Green New Deal policies and
they need to get back to building; that is traditional infrastructure,”
according to Graves.

Graves says though disappointed he wasn’t chosen,
he was proud to be considered.

“Well, it was a tremendous opportunity and I was
very proud to be considered for the position,” Graves says. “You know, it’s
something that didn’t necessarily work out this time, but I’m willing and ready
to serve if the need arises.”

Duffy faces confirmation from the U.S. Senate.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Graves disappointed in not being chosen, but backs Trump Transportation choice

Summit Carbon Solutions resubmitted an application for a carbon dioxide pipeline to South Dakota state regulators this week. The application included “major reroutes” of the proposed structure in four South Dakota counties. The move happened over a year after the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission rejected the company’s first application. Lee Blank, CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions says, “By working hand-in-hand with landowners and communities, we’ve developed a project that balances progress with respect for those directly involved,” and “Together, we’re creating a new pathway to new markets and lasting economic growth for generations to come.” 

Summit Carbon applies again for pipeline in South Dakota

Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner this year for friends and family will cost less than last year but is still more expensive than before COVID-19. The 39th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey shows the cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for ten people is $58.08 or about $5.80 per person. That’s a five percent decrease from 2023, which was 4.5 percent lower than 2022. Two years of declines don’t erase dramatic increases that led to a record high cost of $64.06 in 2022. 

Thanksgiving survey shows dinner cost declined from 2023

A recent report says banks could be more hesitant to lend to the farm sector just as the agricultural industry is expected to enter a major credit crunch. Rabobank says that could disproportionately hurt smaller producers in the process. After two years of near-record profits, a significant drop in crop prices is pushing more producers to take out loans. Although farmers have built up somewhat of a liquidity buffer to manage the downturn, Rabobank says those savings are expected to run out by the next crop year. 

The report says “Although the U.S. agricultural sector’s financial affairs are projected to finish 2023-2024 in stable condition, the trajectory is downward.”&nbsp; Demand for farm loans is set to climb to levels not seen since 2013 with producers expected to increase their borrowing by billions of dollars over the next several years. Producers may face stricter borrowing requirements when taking out new loans.

Farm loan concerns in struggling ag economy

Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow spoke on the Senate floor and introduced the “Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act.” She says for more than two years, she’s been working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass her sixth farm bill. “The farmers I met with made clear that the farm safety net must be the backbone of support for all farmers, and not just a handful of mostly southern commodities,” she said. 

Stabenow releases version of the Senate farm bill

A federal judge refused to halt enforcement of California’s climate disclosure bills last week, despite a legal challenge put forward by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups that alleges the bills violate First Amendment rights against compelled speech. In his Nov. 5 ruling, U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II denied the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment, noting the court required more information and “further development of the facts” to determine whether the climate disclosure rules amount to compelled speech and are, hence, unconstitutional. 

Though Wright’s decision allows the state’s carbon emissions disclosure requirements to proceed as planned for now, his ruling granted the plaintiffs leave to file another request for summary judgment. Wright also said the First Amendment did apply to the challenged laws. The climate laws will mandate more climate-related disclosures from large companies operating in the state and push for more corporate transparency in terms of carbon emissions.

California climate disclosure laws survive initial court challenge 

President-Elect Donald Trump’s threat of mass deportations risks hurting the domestic agriculture sector already struggling with labor shortages. That’s according to Matt Carstens, chief executive officer of Iowa’s biggest farm cooperative, who said Trump’s plan should be approached carefully. Bloomberg reports farming would be one of the biggest US sectors hit should the incoming administration move forward with kicking potentially millions of undocumented immigrants out of the country. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said nearly half of hired crop farmworkers lack legal immigration status. The share of laborers not lawfully authorized to work in the US rose from about 14% in the 1989-91 period to roughly 40% in recent years. Meanwhile, although there’s been a slight decline in the number of people moving out of rural US counties since the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the prior decade saw an overall loss of population. 

Trump’s threat of deportations risks hurting agriculture 

With little sign of a breakthrough on the farm bill in Congress, farm groups are shifting their attention to a proposed $21 billion bailout bill. Help is needed because high costs and lower commodity prices are sharply eroding farm income, they say. Successful Farming reports analysts are questioning whether the price tag for the proposed agricultural aid is too high to be accepted and say that in the relatively short lame-duck session under way, there may be room for only one piece of farm-related legislation. 

Farm bailout bill getting renewed attention in lame duck session 

Sales of tractors for agricultural use plunged year-over-year in October, according to data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Tractor sales dropped 14% from the same month a year earlier to 21,354 units. Combine sales fell almost 35%. These declines point to the overall softness in the ag economy following a robust five years of positive industry results.&nbsp;

Tractor sales plummet in October

House Agriculture Chair Glenn Thompson is among those being considered for agriculture secretary in the next Trump administration, according to a person familiar with the team’s thinking. Reports say the Pennsylvania Republican, who developed closer ties to Trump during the president-elect’s many campaign visits to the Keystone State, offers deep knowledge of agriculture policy. 

The Trump transition team neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of tapping Thompson. “President-Elect Trump will begin making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration soon. Those decisions will be announced when they are made,” said spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. Other names being mentioned are Former Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs Ted McKinney; Kip Tom, formerly U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture; and former White House ag advisor Ray Starling.

Thompson leads list of potential Ag Secretary candidates

As farmers struggle with low crop prices, relatively high interest rates and increased input costs, fewer are making big-ticket purchases like tractors, combines and farm implements, resulting in a backlog of inventory across the globe. Eric Hansotia, AGCO's president and CEO, said in an investor call last week, the Machinery manufacturer has about four months of orders with its dealers in North America and is looking to bring that number down to three.  

Tractor manufacturers slow production as demand declines

GENTRY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Thursday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Ford F250 was westbound on Route Z seven miles east of King City.

The pickup and an eastbound 2011 Peterbilt semi were crowding the center othe road and sideswiped each other.&nbsp;

After impact the pickup crossed the center of the road and struck the left front of an eastbound 2014 Peterbilt semi. After impact the 2014 semi traveled off the road, struck an embankment and overturned.

Life Flight Eagle transported the 29-year-old man from Pattonsburg who drove of the pickup to Truman Medical Center.&nbsp; Mercy Life Flight transported the 68-year-old man from Amazonia, who drove the 2014 Peterbilt to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. The other driver was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 Missouri men airlifted to hospital after 3-vehicle crash

The Nodaway County Humane Society is hosting a 'Home for the Holidays' pet adoption event through the end of the year. 

Wendy Combs, director of the Nodaway County Humane Society says adoptable pets are usually already fixed. "All of our animals come fixed or with a voucher to be fixed. Half price is a steal for sure."

The cost for most dogs during the adoption event is $50. Cats are $30 and kittens are $40.

Combs notes that some specialty breeds may not qualify for the discount. "It depends on specialty breeds and puppies, if we have them, most of them are going to be full price. But some of them will be half price, as well."

Combs says specialty breeds can include smaller dogs and purebreds. She adds that it is on a case-by-case basis, and residents are encouraged to check ahead of time to see which animals are available.

During the adoption event, in most cases, the fee includes the cost of spay, neuter, microchips, vaccinations and more.

All adoptions must have an approved application. Combs encourages people who are traveling to adopt, to submit an application ahead of time.

For more information and to see a list of available pets, visit <a href="https://www.newnodawayhumanesociety.org/">newnodawayhumanesociety.org</a>.

Nodaway County Humane Society hosting 'Home for the Holidays' pet adoption event

A 52-year-old St. Joseph man has been convicted of child
molestation after a two-day jury trial in Buchanan County.

Timothy Brown has been found guilty of sexually abusing a
12-year-old while volunteering at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church in St.
Joseph. A 17-year-old girl testified during the trial, stating Brown had touched
her inappropriately and had exposed himself to her when she was 12.

The jury deliberated for about two hours. Brown will be sentenced
in early January.

St. Joseph man found guilty of child molestation after 2-day trial

Originally created to bankroll Mike Parson’s 2021 inauguration, Moving Missouri Forward gave money to a political action committee that in recent years has funded the governor’s trips to the Super Bowl&nbsp;

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The not-for-profit group originally set up to pay for Gov. Mike Parson’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/11/missouri-gov-mike-parson-reflects-on-tumult-of-2020-at-start-of-first-full-term/">2021 inauguration</a>&nbsp;gave $150,000 this week to the political action committee that helped get him elected.

Parson is leaving office due to term limits and has said repeatedly that he does not intend to be a candidate for public office again.&nbsp;

The PAC, Uniting Missouri, received the donation on Monday from Moving Missouri Forward Inc., which also paid the expenses to write and publish a biography of Parson called “No Turnin’ Back” that the governor&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parsons-book-no-turnin-back-now-available" target="_blank">has promoted extensively</a>&nbsp;since its publication in February.

The origin of the $150,000 is unclear, since Moving Missouri Forward is not required to disclose its donors. But none of the money donated Monday was generated by sales of the Parson book, attorney Marc Ellinger said in an interview with The Independent. A different not-for-profit called&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/881750637_202212_990_2024010422170090.pdf" target="_blank">Moving Missouri Forward Foundation</a>&nbsp;receives all proceeds from book sales, he said, and is headed by First Lady Teresa Parson as president and Claudia Kehoe, wife Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe, as vice president.

“It paid for the book and contributed the entire cost of it and everything to the foundation as a charitable contribution, so that the foundation would have an ability to raise money through the book,” Ellinger said.

Ellinger is the registered agent for both Moving Missouri Forward Inc. and Moving Missouri Forward Foundation.

Uniting Missouri PAC had about $93,000 on hand at the end of October. Reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission show it raised about $1.3 million since the start of 2023 and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-parson-pac-seeks-to-boost-missouri-governors-favored-candidates-in-gop-primaries/">spent about $775,000</a>&nbsp;this year helping two officeholders Parson appointed, Kehoe and Attorney General Andrew Bailey, win hotly contested Republican primaries.

Uniting Missouri has also spent about $120,000 for Parson’s trips to watch the Kansas City Chiefs win the two most recent Super Bowls.

Tom Burcham — a former Republican state lawmaker from Farmington with close ties to Parson’s longtime friend and fundraiser, lobbyist Steve Tilley — is in charge of Uniting Missouri. It is unclear why the PAC needs to keep raising money to support a candidate who is no longer running for public office, and Burcham did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

Burcham is also the registered agent for a not-for-profit created in September called 57 Foundation Inc., in reference to Parson’s position as the 57th governor of the state. The nonprofit held a fundraiser Nov. 14 in Kansas City where donors paid as much as $10,000 for a table and pre-event reception with the Parsons.

The purpose of 57 Foundation, according to its incorporation papers, includes “providing essential resources and support to needful and vulnerable Missourians who cannot adequately help themselves. The foundation’s activities are inspired by and aligned with the legacy of public service and contributions of Missouri’s 57th Governor, Michael L. Parson.”

The Moving Missouri Forward Inc. donation to Uniting Missouri is roughly equal to the remaining funds raised on behalf of Parson, Ellinger said.

It will now transition to become a vehicle for funding Kehoe’s inauguration, he said.&nbsp;

Soon after Parson’s 2021 inauguration, Moving Missouri Forward Inc. released a list of donors who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/22/what-companies-pacs-funded-gov-mike-parson-inauguration-missouri-donors/6660223002/" target="_blank">contributed $500 or more</a>&nbsp;to the $369,115 raised for the festivities. The list did not include the specific amounts donated.

As a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/other-non-profits/social-welfare-organizations" target="_blank">not-for-profit 501(c)(4)</a>&nbsp;entity, it is not required to reveal its donors. It is required to file a statement of revenues and expenses annually with the IRS. The&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/854169242/202323199349302052/full" target="_blank">most recent report</a>, filed in November 2023 and covering 2022, shows $3,000 in contributions in 2022 and $40,563 in cash on hand at the end of the year.&nbsp;

The filing also showed a $25,000 contribution to the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation. The foundation is a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations" target="_blank">501(c)(3) entity</a>&nbsp;and contributions are tax deductible.

The purpose of the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation, according to its creation filing, is to “aid, assist, or help Missouri’s children, including but not limited to Jobs for America’s Graduates-Missouri and children with autism and special needs.”

Mike and Teresa Parson have been&nbsp;<a href="https://jag-missouri.org/board-and-staff/" target="_blank">co-chairs of Jobs for America’s Graduates-Missouri</a>&nbsp;since 2016, when he was elected lieutenant governor.

Nonprofit drops $150K into PAC supporting lame-duck Missouri governor

The St. Joseph Police Department is looking to fill open positions at the department.  

Crime Prevention Officer Jeremy Peters says the department will hold new hire testing tomorrow. 

"We're going to start at 10am at the Remington Nature Center with our written test," Peters tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "The process takes about two hours for the written test and then with a passing score on it we move to our physical agility course at the police shooting range, followed up immediately with an interview panel back at the police department." 

Currently, there are 18 open positions within the department.   

Peters says people selected from the interview panel will be sponsored by the department to attend the Missouri Western Law Enforcement Academy 

"That's about a $6,000 or $7,000 benefit to the people we're hiring, we pay for that academy, they come on board making about $18 an hour while they're going to school," Peters explains.  "Their job at that point is to pass that class, get certified, and land in uniform, once they land in uniform it goes up to about $25 an hour." 

Peters says you can register online for the event, but there will be enough tests for people if you walk in, just get there early 

"You'll want to be there by about 9:45am, that way we can get your information and get you situated, but if you can if you do have time, go onto the website there's a big button on the website that says "join SJPD"," Peters says.  "Navigate through to the job posting and then there's a button that says apply with Indeed, that will let you send a digital application into us, and then we will have your information and be ready for you for the testing period there." 

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

St. Joseph Police Department looking to add to the team

The St. Joseph School District feels it is in a better position than it has been in some time in the ongoing battle of students attending school.  

Superintendent Gabe Edgar believes that the early learning program has helped with attendance in the early grades 

"If you go back and you look at historical data, four to five years ago Kindergarten was our worst attendance by far in some buildings," Edgar tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "Kindergarten is a lot better today than it was a year ago, so is first grade." 

Edgar says having those structures in place from an early age helps in terms of attendance. 

Assistant Superintendent of Academic and Education Services Ashley McGinnis says several elementary schools are above 90 percent attendance, with some very close to that mark, with the middle schools shy of that mark as well 

McGinnis says it's the high schools that have seen the most challenge with getting students to come everyday 

"In the past I know we've focused a lot on giving incentives and doing gift card drawings and things of that nature, but what we're finding out is the research shows we really need parents involved and engaged with education to get kids to come to school," McGinnis explains. "So that's been a huge focus this year." 

McGinnis says one factor is trying to get back to normalcy following COVID, something that's taken longer than the district hoped 

"There were patterns and habits created during that time where if a child had a headache or a runny nose that we would just keep them home as a precautionary measure, and getting out of those bad habits and sending kids to school and allowing a nurse to examine the child before they are sent back home," McGinnis says.  "I think getting back into those routines." 

McGinnis says a relationship with the Buchanan County Prosecuting attorney and the juvenile office has been helpful but feels there is a better success rate when building relationships with families. 

School attendance improving in St. Joseph, but still work to do

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Tuesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Infiniti passenger vehicle driven by a 42-year-old Bethany man was westbound on U.S. 136 two miles west of Bethany.

The driver swerved to miss a deer. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle traveled off the south side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned.

A private vehicle transported the driver to Mosaic in Albany. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Mo. driver injured after he swerves to miss deer, vehicle overturns

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Tuesday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Chevy 2500 driven by a 52-year-old man from Gallatin was southbound on MO 13 at Route M four and one half miles south of Gallatin.

The driver attempted to turn east onto Rote M and struck a northbound 2005 Ford 500 driven by a 40-year-old woman from Gallatin.&nbsp; The impact pushed the Ford into the front of a 2022 Ford Explorer driven by a 42-year-old woman from Chillicothe, that was stationary on Route M at MO 13.

Daviess County EMS transported a 60-year-old male passenger in the Ford to Liberty Hospital. The drivers were not injured. All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized after 3-vehicle crash

That violent, deadly crash that shut down I-29 in extreme
northwest Missouri for hours Sunday morning began as a pursuit by Nebraska law
enforcement.

Three people died, three suffered serious injuries, and a
one-year-old escaped serious injury after the driver fleeing police hit a
bridge abutment and the car caught fire.

The Fremont County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department says a woman hospitalized
in Hamburg reported she and her one-year-old were kidnapped by a 29-year-old
acquaintance, who dropped her off at the hospital, but fled with the child.

Iowa state highway patrol troopers pursued the vehicle as it
drove south on I-29 in the northbound lanes. When the car entered Missouri, it
collided with a northbound car attempting to pass a truck. The pursued car hit
the bridge and caught fire. The other vehicle veered off the road, overturned,
ejected a passenger, and came to rest on its top.

A veteran deputy rescued the one-year-old from the burning
car. The baby was taken to the hospital to be treated for moderate injuries.
Two 18-year-olds from Kearney died in the crash. Another person was flown to
Omaha to be treated for serious injuries.

Deadly I-29 crash in extreme NW Missouri began as Nebraska pursuit

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations

Just after 11:00p.m. on Monday an officer on patrol in Atchison observed 34-year-old Cinnamon Cash walking in the area of 10th and Main Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

&nbsp; She was taken into custody on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. She was subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. She was taken to the County Jail.

Kan. woman who skipped court caught with methamphetamine

The Kansas City Royals added three players to their 40 man roster on Tuesday, ahead of the deadline to protect eligible players from the Rule 5 draft.&nbsp;

If Rule 5-eligible players -- those who signed at age 18 or younger five seasons ago or who signed at age 19 or older four seasons ago -- are not added to teams’ 40-man rosters, they are exposed to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft next month.

Left-hander Noah Cameron, ranked the Royals’ No. 12 prospect by MLB Pipeline, and righties Luinder Avila (No. 26) and Eric Cerantola (No. 29) were placed the roster on Tuesday. Kansas City's roster now sits at 37 players, with a few spots open for the offseason upgrades the Royals are trying to make.

Cameron knocked on the door of making his major league debut last season, had the Royals not been in the postseason race late.&nbsp; The left handed pitcher posted a 3.08 ERA across 128.2 innings between Triple A Omaha and Double A Northwest Arkansas.&nbsp;

It was his nine starts in Omaha that were the most impressive, going 3-2 with a 2.32 ERA and striking out 62 batters, a 29% strikeout rate to go with a 5.1% walk rate.&nbsp;

The Royals drafted Cameron in the seventh round in 2021 out of Central Arkansas. He was coming off of Tommy John surgery that year and has missed time with injuries early in his pro career, but he’s been remarkably consistent with his production otherwise. He thrives off his command and fills up the strike zone. He’ll compete for a spot on the Royals’ pitching staff in Spring Training, but he’s part of the depth that the Royals are excited about in 2025.

Avila, whose 23 years old, just finished a stint in the Arizona Fall League, making up for some innings he missed because of injury this past season. In 14 2/3 innings across five games (three starts) this fall, Avila posted a 3.07 ERA, with 17 strikeouts and eight walks. 

He spent the majority of ‘24 in Double-A, making just one start in Triple-A at the end of the year. With the Naturals, Avila threw 82 2/3 innings across 19 starts and posted a 3.81 ERA.

Cerantola, 24 years old, has a big arm that can reach 100 mph. He pitched to a 2.97 ERA and had a strikeout percentage north of 31% this year across Double-A and Triple-A, spending the majority of the year in Northwest Arkansas, where he allowed 18 earned runs in 58 1/3 innings.

 In Triple-A at the end of the year, he posted a 3.77 ERA. He appeared in 37 games total (seven starts) and is seen as a multi-inning reliever.

At the Rule 5 Draft, teams that do pick a player must pay $100,000 to the club from which the player was selected. The selected player is assigned to the club’s 26-man roster and is essentially treated like a player without options –-- to be removed from the 40-man roster, they must be placed on outright waivers and exposed to other teams to claim.

 Should the player clear waivers, he can be offered back to his previous team for $50,000. A Rule 5 Draft pick can be placed on the injured list, but he must be active for a minimum of 90 days to avoid being subject to the aforementioned roster restrictions in the next campaign.

The Royals selected Yankees righty Matt Sauer last December, and he made his debut with Kansas City in 2024. But by May the Royals needed the roster spot, and Sauer went back to New York.

-MLB.com's Anne Rogers contributed to this report

Royals protect Noah Cameron, two other top prospects from Rule 5 draft

Northwest Missouri State University has announced that there will be a leadership change for the football program next season.&nbsp;

Head Coach Rich Wright's contract will not be renewed, effective December 31st, after serving as head coach for eight seasons.&nbsp; Northwest closed out the season with a 23-7 loss to Pittsburg State, leaving the final record at 6-5 overall, 6-4 in the MIAA.

Athletic Director Andy Peterson says a national search for the next head coach will begin immediately.&nbsp; In the interim, Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach Chad Bostwick will serve as the interim head coach.

Northwest football announces leadership change, Rich Wright out

St. Joseph Christian's Lexi McDaniel, the top softball recruit in the nation, is continuing her career at a college softball powerhouse.   

The Oklahoma Sooners softball team have won national championships four years in a row, and six out of the last eight, and have yet another number one recruiting class in the country, which includes McDaniel 

McDaniel says it's almost unexplainable of how it feels to know she'll be a part of the run Sooner's softball is on.  

"The feeling, the emotions, just everything about it is so cool and it's just an amazing opportunity that I'm so excited to be a part of," McDaniel tells reporters following her signing. 

McDaniel officially signed her letter of intent on Monday, after announcing her commitment last year. 

McDaniel says what drew her to Oklahoma was the culture 

"All of the people there were fantastic, the coaching staff was absolutely amazing, the girls who are already there just really love the program and buy into the program and I knew that that's the type of people I wanted to put myself around," McDaniel says. "And obviously, they are definitely very good, and it's just super cool that I get to experience this and work to be the best that I can." 

McDaniel is only the second Division One commit in the history of St. Joseph Christian.   

McDaniel has played solely organization softball over her career, with St. Joseph Christian not having a softball team, starting with the Aces organization out of Kansas City. 

Aces head coach Ryan Taylor says he began to see something special in McDaniel in her second year of 14U, beginning to separate herself offensively. 

"Not just within the organization, but throughout the country, to where you're like ok there's something here, right, the swings special and it's not just against a few pitchers it's against some of the kids that people are touting as the best pitchers in the country, not only at her age group but also at older age groups," Taylor explains.  "And you start to see her just really gain traction in that and start her climb." 

McDaniel began working with Aces at 12 years old.  In her career thus far, she has 578 hits, 93 home runs and has scored 461 runs to be the club's all-time leader. 

McDaniel says she'll play wherever legendary Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso needs her to, though she has primary played in the infield, and does not know if she'll play right away.  

She has one tournament left this fall for the Ace's and will play in the spring and summer as well before heading to Norman, Oklahoma to join the Sooners. 

St. Joseph Christian's Lexi McDaniel officially signs to play softball at Oklahoma

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- — After watching quarterback Josh Allen bounce off two Kansas City Chiefs defenders before crossing the goal line on a 26-yard run, Bills receiver Khalil Shakir joined the rest of the packed Buffalo stadium by screaming at the top of his lungs.

Allen's touchdown on fourth-and-2 with 2:17 left sealed Buffalo’s 30-21 victory, kept the Bills (9-2) in contention for the AFC’s top seed and spoiled the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs' bid for a perfect season.

“When Josh takes off, I find myself just watching, like, ‘Wow, he’s different,’” Shakir said. “When he took off today, I just started yelling. I couldn’t stop yelling. I was blanking in the head.”

Bills fans chimed in by chanting “MVP! MVP!” while watching the replay of their quarterback bursting up the middle to secure a victory in the latest matchup against the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs (9-1), who ended Buffalo’s playoff runs in three of the past four seasons.

Allen evened his record to 4-4 (including playoffs) against the Chiefs. He said he knew what was on the line when coach Sean McDermott elected to go for it on fourth down rather than settle for a field goal.

“I appreciated coach for trusting us,” said Allen, who took off up the right hash mark, shrugged off being shouldered by linebacker Nick Bolton and had enough momentum to reach the end zone while wrapped up by safety Bryan Cook.

“Any time you give the ball back to Pat (Mahomes), that offense, down six with the game on the line, I like their odds in that situation,” Allen added. “So wanting six or seven (points) to try to make it a two-score game.”

Buffalo’s defense ended Kansas City’s desperate final drive when linebacker Terrel Bernard intercepted Mahomes.

James Cook rushed for two first-half touchdowns and Allen threw a 12-yard TD pass to Curtis Samuel early in the fourth quarter. The Bills never relinquished the lead after going ahead 16-14 on Tyler Bass’ 33-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.

The Chiefs were the NFL’s last undefeated team and finally ran out ways to eke out one-score victories and overcome second-half deficits. The Chiefs had won 15 straight, including playoffs, since they fell 20-14 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 25, 2023.

“The undefeated thing was cool. But that’s not our ultimate goal. So we’ll keep building toward that,” Mahomes said.

“That’s a good football team. Nothing to hang your head on losing to them,” he added. “We feel like we can play better. So we’ll get back to work and try to use this as a spark so we can be a better football team in the end.”

There's a chance these teams will meet again in the playoffs, where the Chiefs have dominated the rivalry. Though Buffalo has won four straight regular-season meetings dating to 2021, the Chiefs have won three straight playoff matchups, including a 27-24 win at Buffalo in the divisional round in January.

“It’s a great game to learn from for some of our young guys. Two good teams play each other, the margin between winning and losing is small,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “We can all learn from it and take something out of it to make us better down the road there. And we’ll do that.”

Mahomes finished 23 of 33 for 196 yards with three touchdown passes — two to tight end Noah Gray and another to Xavier Worthy — and two interceptions.

The Chiefs had shown resolve in winning their first nine games by a combined 58 points, with four decided on the final play. That included a 16-14 win over Denver last week in which Leo Chenal blocked Wil Lutz’s 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

This time, there were no late dramatics from a Chiefs offense that finished with a season-low 259 yards.

The Bills have won six straight and moved closer to their fifth straight AFC East title. Buffalo is 9-2 or better through 11 games for the sixth time in team history and first since 1992.

“No statement,” McDermott said of the win’s significance. “This is not the finish line.”

The Bills have a chance to rest and heal up entering their bye week. Amari Cooper made two catches for 58 yards while playing with a sore left wrist, and wide receiver Keon Coleman (right wrist) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) were sidelined by injuries.

Allen played through a sore throwing hand, which was examined on the sideline during the game. He finished 27 of 40 for 262 yards with the TDs passing and rushing and an interception.

The rushing touchdown was the 58th of Allen’s career, moving him into second on the Bills list, one ahead of O.J. Simpson and seven behind Thurman Thomas. Allen’s two-touchdown outing also increased his total to 244, tying Jim Kelly for first in team history.

Chiefs regular season struggles against Bills continue, suffer first loss 30-21

#9 Benedictine breaks records in win over William Woods

The #9 Benedictine Ravens closed out the regular season with a record breaking win over William Woods at NCAC Stadium in Fulton, winning 86-0 and securing a share of the Heart South conference title.&nbsp;

The Ravens set records for single game points as well as rushing yards allowed in the win.&nbsp;&nbsp;The previous record for points was 84 and was set during the 2018 season in a home win over Graceland. The Ravens held the Owls to minus-61 yards rushing, breaking a 24-year-old record previously set at minus-58 yards against Graceland during the 2000 season.

The Ravens jumped out to a 17-0 lead after the first quarter. Harry Balke connected on a pair of field goals – 35 yards and 28 yards – while the Ravens scored 4 points off 2 safeties before Joseph Lagafuiana returned the second free kick for a 98-yard return to make it 17-0.

Benedictine exploded for 41 points in the second quarter and Jackson Dooley went to the air, connecting on 5 touchdown passes to break the Ravens single-season passing record. He connected on a 10-yard pass to Matthew Sanford, a 35-yard pass to Jacob Gathright, and an 8-yard pass to Lagafuiana to tie the record at 33 passing touchdowns. He broke the record on a 46-yard pass to Lagafuiana and then added to his record with a 5-yard pass to Kameron Dover.

Special Teams capped off the first-half scoring after Dylan Witherspoon blocked a punt at the William Woods 30-yard line that found its way to the end zone where it was recovered by Trey Williams for a touchdown to send the Ravens into halftime leading 58-0.

Three more touchdowns put the Ravens on the cusp of the scoring record in the third quarter on a touchdown pass from Kaden Austin to Sanford for 8-yards. That was followed up by a 7-yard rushing touchdown from Jonah Roberts and a 7-yard rushing touchdown from Robbie Sharp to make it 79-0 headed into the fourth quarter.

Austin hit Callahan Huston on a pass that Huston broke loose for 60 yards to give the Ravens the new scoring record and end the scoring for the game.

Dooley finished with 136 yards on 10 of 18 passing with 5 touchdowns while Austin went 3 of 5 with 2 touchdowns. JJ Jackson led the Ravens with 68 yards on 12 carries, followed by Sharp with 56 yards, Xavier Ugorji with 45, Roberts with 32, and Dalton Witherspoon with 34. Lagafuiana finished with 54 yards receiving on 2 catches while Jacob Gathright added 36 yards on 2 catches.

Defensively, Benedictine finished with 5 sacks for a loss of 56 yards, 8 tackles for a loss of 72 yards, four forced fumbles with two fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions.

The Ravens finished the season 9-2 (5-1 Heart South).&nbsp;The 2024 NAIA Football Championship Selection Show is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday where the Ravens will learn their postseason seeding for the FCS.

Big second half helps Missouri Western close out season with victory

The Missouri Western Griffons overcame six turnovers and 10 penalties and scored a 30-16 win over Quincy in the regular season finale at Spratt Memorial Stadium on Saturday.&nbsp;

The scoring got started for Missouri Western on the defensive side of the ball when senior Jaden Brown forced a fumble, allowing junior Kienen Gaskin to scoop and score giving the Griffons an early lead.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Griffons offense struggled to find rhythm early, their first two drives resulting in interceptions, allowing Quincy to take a lead behind a 22 yard field goal from Michael Owens and a four yard rushing score from Teon Dollard, but Missouri Western managed to take the lead back just before the end of the quarter,&nbsp; Branden Berwald connecting with senior Tyler Carey for a 64-yard touchdown - Carey's third touchdown catch of over 60 yards this season.

In the second quarter, a missed field goal, a lost fumble and an interception plagued the offensive attack from Missouri Western, allowing the Hawks to regain the lead with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Drake Davis to Dollard, the lone score of the frame, giving Quincy a 16-14 lead at the halftime break.

Senior Cody Watson added to his historic career by successfully making his program-leading 42nd field goal from 27 yards away to put the Griffons ahead&nbsp; in&nbsp; the opening drive of the second half. Additionally, Watson tied Dustin Strickler for the most extra points (PATs) made in a Griffon uniform, reaching a total of 122, which was also his final try in college.

The Griffons clinched the season finale with a strong performance in the fourth quarter. Junior running back Jayden Williams scoring touchdowns from one yard out on both scoring drives for his first multi-touchdown game of his career.

Missouri Western finished the game with over 504 yards of total offense. Marrell Fountain (92) and Rickie Dunn (91) combined for 183 yards on the ground. Carey added his third 100-yard receiving performance of the season, while senior's Jonas Bennett and Jake Berrey hauled in two catches.

Missouri Western football says goodbye to 18 seniors, who were honored prior to the opening kickoff, as the 2024 season officially came to a close on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp; Griffons finish the season 4-7 (2-7 MIAA).

#23 Tigers suffers defensive collapse late, fall to #21 Gamecocks&nbsp;

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- — South Carolina coach Shane Beamer got a text recently from an SEC rival coach impressed with freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

“You've got ‘Superman’ back there,” the message read, Beamer said.

Sellers may not be the “Man of Steel,” but he's certainly making a major impact for No. 23 South Carolina. And he showed that again on Saturday night with his career-best showing in a 34-30 victory over No. 24 Missouri.

Sellers, a redshirt freshman who took over the starting job from NFL rookie Spencer Rattler, threw for 353 yards and five touchdown passes, the last an inside throw that Raheim Sanders took 15 yards to the end zone with 15 seconds to go as they twice rallied from behind in the fourth quarter.

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